Restrict Fireworks

The Evidence for August 2009

Aug 5, Firework arsonists cause explosions in hair salon and car, Yorkshire Post

Arson attacks with fireworks triggered a car explosion and a blast at a Bradford hairdressing salon.

Police are linking the attacks, which happened about three miles apart within 10 minutes of each other on Monday night.
Detective Inspector John Priestley, of Airedale and North Bradford CID, said: "At this stage we believe these attacks were targeted against individuals and not simply random acts."
Emergency services were called to a report of an explosion at the Foreign Affair Hair Studio in Idle Road at around 10.40pm .
Stanningley Fire Station manager Nigel Craven said the windows had been forced and fireworks had triggered a "violent explosion".
The owner of the business was in a flat directly above at the time but managed to escape unharmed, he said.
The blast blew out the shop's large windows and shattered glass inside. A bomb disposal unit was initially called to the scene as a precaution.
Within minutes, at around 10.49pm, another explosion was reported in a car parked on a driveway just a few feet away from a house in Moorside Gardens in Bradford – shattering the windows and distorting its roof.
The damage was confined to the vehicle and the occupants of the house were unharmed.
It is believed the car belonged to someone who works at the salon.
DI Priestley said: "It is fortunate no-one was hurt in these incidents and we are appealing for help from the public to help us trace those responsible.
"I would like to reassure residents that incidents of this kind are quite rare in Airedale and North Bradford however."
Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who saw a man wearing a balaclava and acting suspiciously outside the premises on Idle Road.
Kevin Casey, 65, whose son runs Casey's Carpets next to the salon, said the owner – whose business had been based in Idle Road for at least 11 years – was "a nice, likeable chap – very pleasant".
"I couldn't imagine him having any enemies," he said.
The salon remained cordoned off yesterday.
Anyone with information should contact Airedale and North Bradford CID on 0845 6060606 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Aug 5, Firework arsonists cause explosions in hair salon and car, Yorkshire Post

Aug 7, Budleigh Salterton firework prank could have ended in tragedy, Devon 24

Budleigh Salterton police are appealing for help tracing three youngsters seen running away from a home in Norman Crescent after a firecracker was set off and pushed through a letterbox.
The incident took place at around 9.45pm on Thursday August 6 and at the same time three boys and a girl, all aged about 15, were seen running-off.
The female was of medium build with bleached blond hair shaped in a bob, the police said.
Budleigh Salterton police community support officer Malcolm Maguire said: "Naturally, we are taking this matter very seriously because the potential for harm was great."
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the incident could have ended in tragedy.
A spokesman said: "It could have ended in a fatality.
"Putting fireworks through letterboxes could block someone's escape route and has the potential to end in a real disaster."
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact 08452 777444 and quote Log 1179 06/08/09

Aug 7, Budleigh Salterton firework prank could have ended in tragedy, Devon 24

Aug 10, Family shock at firework attack, Hartlepool Mail

A Family has been left in shock after a lit firework smashed a window at their home.

Police are appealing for information after the glass window pane at the house in West View Road, Hartlepool, was shattered by a firework.
The family say they heard a loud bang and the front living room window smash during the terrifying incident.
But police say they did not see the firework or the person who released it.
Officers are investigating the incident, which happened at around 10pm on Saturday, July 25, and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
No-one was injured, although there have been scorch marks left around the damaged window.
A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "The incident has shocked the people living in the house, they heard the glass smash, but didn't see any offenders.
"Firework debris hasn't been found, although there are scorch marks around the broken window."
Anyone with information is being urged to contact Hartlepool Police on (01642) 302126 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Aug 10, Family shock at firework attack, Hartlepool Mail

Aug 17, 1 killed in Turkish fireworks blast, 37 injured, San Francisco Examiner

Ankara, Turkey — An explosion at a fireworks factory in northwestern Turkey on Monday killed one worker and injured 37 other people, the region's governor said.

Gov. Huseyin Atak said the blast occurred in the lab section of the factory, located in Hendek, a village near the industrial city of Sakarya.

A fire that broke out in the factory was quickly brought under control, the governor said.

The injured were being treated in several hospitals in the area but none were in life-threatening condition, Atak said.

Hendek's mayor, Ali Inci, said the explosion caused part of the factory to collapse.

It was not clear how many workers were at the factory at the time.

Police kept reporters about 600 meters (650 yards) away from the factory premises, allowing only ambulances to pass through its gates.

Private NTV television said the cause of the blast was not immediately established, but police suspected negligence.

Last year, an explosion at an unlicensed Istanbul fireworks factory killed 20 people and injured more than 100.

In 2005, a series of explosions at an Istanbul fireworks storage killed six people.

Aug 17, 1 killed in Turkish fireworks blast, 37 injured, San Francisco Examiner

Aug 18, Post box "explosion" in Gloucestershire, This is Gloucestershire

Police are appealing for witnesses after a post box in Blanchworth was damaged on Monday.

Gloucestershire Constabulary received a call from a member of the public at approximately 2.40pm reporting that a post box on the road from Frog Lane in North Nibley towards Berkeley had ‘exploded’.

Officers believed that the damage may have been caused by a firework or similar item. The post box was not on fire but had been badly damaged.

The Royal Mail have also been informed of the incident.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call Gloucestershire Constabulary on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 279 of August 17. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Aug 18, Post box "explosion" in Gloucestershire, This is Gloucestershire

Aug 19, Fireworks furore, Keighley News

Sir – Your recent correspondent was right to complain about fireworks, but did not do the problem justice.

Many parts of Bradford experience this anti-social behaviour of the worst kind every night. It is far worse than vandals trashing a bus-stop because it affects many thousands of people from spring to autumn. It is the intrusiveness which is so depressing – no ear-plugs or double-glazing can block it out. The idea of an early night is a thing of the past. The right to peace in one’s own home is being ignored and abused every night by a minority.

This has to stop, but how?

1. The Council should identify a Saturday in May and fund a massive firework display to celebrate all the forthcoming weddings taking place in the district. Everyone will know when it is and can celebrate as a community – no need for individual displays.

2. Local ‘community leaders’ (elected and unelected) should speak out and encourage people to donate the money that would have been spent to charities instead 3. Those who hate this practice should inundate their local councillors, MPs, police and council officers with complaints so the authorities take it seriously and do something.

A M, Heaton, Bradford

Aug 19, Fireworks furore, Keighley News

Aug 20, Bangs from fireworks so bad, it makes pets sick, Littlehampton Gazette

We live in Pier Road, Littlehampton and watched the very nice firework display further up the River Arun between 10 and 10.30pm on Friday, August 7.

What a shame about the enormous explosive-type bangs that accompanied the display. Was this really necessary? Our two dogs ran around frantically, absolutely terrified and were finally sick all over the floor, they were in such a state, and didn't stop shaking for a good hour afterwards.
The final bang shook the foundations of our house, and I really feel this is not acceptable. A firework display, yes. But please do away with the enormous bangs which only cause so much distress to animals and young children, especially at that time of night.
K S, Littlehampton

Aug 20, Bangs from fireworks so bad, it makes pets sick, Littlehampton Gazette

Aug 21, Six-second firework stunt 'a damp squib', Digital Spy

A public attempt to break a firework world record has been branded a "damp squib" after the event was over within six seconds.

Around 175,000 people had turned out last night to witness Dorset's Roar on the Shore, which was billed as a chance to see 110,000 fireworks setting off from a barge between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers.

However, onlookers were left disappointed after the boat appeared to simply blow up and burst into flames when the stunt went wrong.

One firework fan, Colleen Gallagher, commented: ''I felt so sorry for the organisers because it was obvious everything went off in one hit. It was a big silvery spray which lit up the beach and then there was just a big cloud of smoke and a few squiggly, short rockets that went up randomly from the fire.

''There had been such a build up, everyone held their breath with anticipation for this roar but then there was nothing... It was a bit of a damp squib.''

Nevertheless, it is believed that a new Guinness World Record was set because no other event has seen so many fireworks set off in such a short time.

A spokeswoman for Bournemouth Tourism said: ''A huge explosion over a longer period of time could have blown on to shore. It went off quicker than they thought it would due to the wind and weather conditions.

''It didn't meet everybody's expectations which is unfortunate but we did break the record which is absolutely fantastic."

A Coastguard spokesman added: ''There was a fire on the barge but it was quickly extinguished. No-one was hurt and no help required."

Aug 21, Six-second firework stunt 'a damp squib', Digital Spy

Aug 22, 4 dead in firework truck crash on expressway, China Daily

Nanchang: The death toll in a traffic collision that triggered an explosion on an expressway in east China's Jiangxi Province on early Saturday has risen to four, local authorities said.

The accident took place at about 4 a.m. on the expressway near Nankang City when a truck loaded with fireworks collided with another truck carrying butter, said a provincial traffic police spokesman.

"Four bodies have been recovered from the wreckage. We are investigating whether there are more casualties," he said.

The explosion also slightly damaged the doors and windows of houses in a roadside village, but no casualties were reported, he said.

Police are looking into the cause of the accident, he said.

Aug 22, 4 dead in firework truck crash on expressway, China Daily

Aug 25, Firework placed into Exmouth parking meter, Devon 24

A Parking meter on Queens Drive was damaged by a firework being placed into the machine.
The incident took place overnight on Sunday, August 23. The parking meter was valued between £600 and £700 with costs incurred to fix the damage.
PCSO Nikki Payne said: "This was not only reckless but also very dangerous."
Anybody who has any information are asked to contact Devon and Cornwall police on 08452 777444, quoting crime reference number KE/09/2516.

Aug 25, Firework placed into Exmouth parking meter, Devon 24

Aug 27, Council refuses to 'blow up' £2,000 in 5 minutes, This is Plymouth

PLANS for a community firework spectacular in Holsworthy have gone up in smoke.

Some councillors said they refuse to "blow up £2,000 in five minutes" when the town has other, more urgent issues that need addressing.

Cllr Pam Johns, together with the parks committee, had been looking into plans to stage a community firework display in Stanhope Park on November 6.

A pyrotechnics company had been approached and the council had earmarked £2,000 for what was considered a special project.

Cllr Johns said the council receives criticism about what it does for the town and so she had proposed to stage a town event.

The cash had been allocated for a special project but no other proposals were brought forward and at the last full council meeting, councillors were asked to give their views on the parks committee's recommendation.

However, the proposal fell after some felt it was not a good idea and the money could be better spent on other areas of the town.

Cllr Bruce Priddy said: "I am not sure blowing up £2,000 in five minutes is very well spent or a wonderful way of helping the community.

"Just because no-one has come up with another idea does not mean there is not one out there. I don't think it is a good idea."

Mayor, Cllr Liz Squire, added: "We have been talking about Aqua Sacs and other things that are needed.

"It is a wonderful idea and perhaps when things are better financially, perhaps as a country, not just the council (it can be revisited).

"It is a difficult one — we are going to be criticised for spending that money but also criticised for not doing enough for the town — it is a catch 22 situation."

Cllr Richard Brown said: "We have problems with the loos and the Mission Youth Cafe packing up, I think that it will be insensitive to blow up £2,000 at this time.

"I think people would rather see £2,000 spent on the loos."

Aug 27, Council refuses to 'blow up' £2,000 in 5 minutes, This is Plymouth

Aug 31, Fireworks mob broken up by police, BBC News

Riot police broke up a mob of 200 Asian youngsters after they threw fireworks at officers in a town where a right-wing march was banned.

Officers wearing helmets and carrying shields went to Luton's Bury Park after youths attacked local police on Sunday.

The disorder followed community tension over protests in the town.

Bedfordshire Police said protesters had been deterred from a planned march on Sunday by a banning order approved by Home Secretary Alan Johnson last week.

The force added: "[Sunday's] disorder follows weeks of engagement and public consultation by Bedfordshire Police and Luton Borough Council in response to tensions within the community after the town was identified as a potential location for a march by right-wing supporters."

Luton Borough Council and Bedfordshire Police were granted a three-month banning order on public processions by four named organisations or associated groups.

Police previously said residents and businesses feared a repeat of the violence and disorder which erupted when the groups previously marched in the town and elsewhere.

Protest plans by March for England, UK Casuals United, United People of Luton and English Defence League had increased tensions in Luton, they added.

Angry scenes broke out in March when a small number of Muslims held an anti-war protest during a homecoming parade of British troops.

Aug 31, Fireworks mob broken up by police, BBC News

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