Latest news with #WYFRS
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
West Yorkshire Fire Service battery bin plea as lithium-ion blazes increase
A senior West Yorkshire fire officer has warned about disposing batteries in household bins amid what the force described as a "growing national crisis".Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in everyday items such as vapes, mobile phones and power tools, are increasingly causing fires when discarded incorrectly, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) Wakefield alone, almost 85 tonnes of electrical items were incorrectly placed in recycling bins last year, leading to 46 fires at one rubbish sorting site as well as five bin lorry Assistant District Commander David Burland said: "These avoidable fires are also taking away resources from other emergencies." "Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere, more places than you realise," he said. "And if you throw one in a standard household bin, when your bin wagon collects waste, it compacts it and the danger starts when the lithium-ion batteries are crushed or damaged. "They can instantly burst into flames due to the chemicals inside them," Mr Burland added. Despite being small and portable, lithium-ion batteries have a high energy and power density so when not made correctly, can exhibit "thermal runway" - a self-heating state that can result in them ejecting gas, shrapnel and extremely high temperatures leading to fires. WYFRS has launched a campaign, alongside Wakefield Council and waste management firm Biffa, to raise awareness about the dangers of disposing of all libraries and supermarkets have special recycling boxes for batteries and council websites can offer advice about disposal Burland also warned about the dangers of buying battery packs online - often to convert standard pedal bikes to said it was especially risky to charge an e-bike indoors, particularly in house shares or flats where space was at a minimum. "Try and charge them somewhere safely away from your property if possible."Do not block your escape route overnight, because that could be the difference in you getting out or not," he added. A man died in Bradford after his converted e-bike caught fire while charging in the living room overnight at his Janjua, 28, was found unresponsive in a bedroom in December 2023 after he returned to the fire-engulfed house because he thought his brother was still inside. A coroner said the blaze was likely caused by a "catastrophic failure" of the bike battery.A Prevention of Future Deaths report has since been released urging the government to examine rules around the sale of lithium-ion battery kits - which are unregulated. The Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 was recently passed which enabled the government to "address challenges" arising from technological advances such as the fire risk associated with e-bikes and lithium-ion Burland said buying battery kits online had increased as they were cheap. "But that cost is at a bit of a price to safety as well."Some government regulation of how these batteries are tested before being sold to make sure they fit to British standard trademarks is needed," he said. Mr Burland added: "That could be a good place to start." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- BBC News
Fire crews attend Bradford street's second fire in three days
Fire crews have attended a second house fire on the same street in Bradford within three days. Emergency services were called to Kesteven Road just before 09:00 BST on Friday.A man and woman were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene and taken to hospital as a precaution, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (WYFRS) fire service confirmed smoke alarms were fitted and working, and said an investigation into the cause was underway. On Wednesday firefighters had been called to a nearby property after a shed fire spread to a house, with footage of the blaze showing huge flames and clouds of black smoke coming from the said no-one was believed to have been hurt. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
£56k raised for burns unit to mark anniversary of Bradford City fire
Firefighters have raised £56,000 for a burns unit to mark the 40th anniversary of the Bradford City fire. The funds, raised by firefighters from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), will support the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU), which is based at the University of Bradford. The PSBRU was founded by Professor David Sharpe (who was a consultant plastic surgeon in Bradford at the time of the tragedy) following the fire at Bradford City AFC's Valley Parade home ground on May 11, 1985, which claimed the lives of 56 people. Firefighters from WYFRS launched their fundraising campaign, called '56for56,' in February 2025. Funds have been raised through a variety of activities - including a football match between Bradford Fire Station and a Bradford City Legends team (featuring Stuart McCall and Gary Jones), which raised £6,946. Other fundraising activities included a black-tie dinner, with former Bradford City striker Dean Windass as guest speaker, and a 75-mile walk from Sincil Bank in Lincoln to the University of Bradford Stadium. WYFRS crew members were joined on the walk by firefighters from Lincoln South Fire Station - and they arrived at their destination in time for Bradford City's 2-0 home win over Crewe Alexandra. Additional funds have been raised through bucket collections and a Bradford Fire Station open day. Extra funds for the appeal will be spread across the Bradford City Community Foundation and the Firefighters Charity. Mark Hayward, crew manager at Bradford Fire Station and one of the organisers of 56for56, said: "We're thrilled to have reached the target and raised £56,000 for the PSBRU. "It's been a real team effort, with so many people getting involved in all the challenges we have completed. "The hardest one by far was the walk from Lincoln – and the one I enjoyed most was the football match at Valley Parade. "To play against so many legends was brilliant." Professor Ajay L Mahajan, director of the PSBRU, added: "It was very touching when the WYFRS approached me about their wish to do the 56for56 campaign - it was so apt for the 40th anniversary of the Bradford fire. "They have paid a huge tribute to the 56 through their tireless efforts to raise funds for the PSBRU. "Thank you to everyone who has donated to our cause, and a huge thank you to the WYFRS for completing this gargantuan campaign." Donations to the PSBRU can be made at
BBC News
12-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Firefighters tackle blaze in derelict Bradford city centre mill
A fire has broken out at a derelict mill building in Bradford city centre. Six crews and an aerial appliance were called to the blaze at the former Barkerend Mills site on Barkerend Road at about 12:00 BST, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) said. Firefighters were said to be using large jets, hose reels and breathing apparatus while tackling the fire, with the blaze close to a Lidl supermarket. Local residents are advised to keep doors and windows closed and avoid the area where possible. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Firefighters tackle Bradford blaze involving three houses
Firefighters tackle blaze involving three houses The fire broke out in Summerbrdge Crescent, in Bradford Firefighters have been tackling a blaze involving three properties in the Eccleshill area of Bradford. Seven crews were deployed to Summerbridge Crescent after the fire broke out at about 14:15 BST. People living nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors shut and a number of road closures were put in place. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) said the fire was extinguished by about 16:45 but that crews would remain on scene "damping down".
