Fires from explosive e-bikes and e-scooters increasing in South Yorkshire
Aggressive lithium-ion fires are increasing, leaving fire fighters struggling to tackle fatal blazes, reports Alycia McNamara.
The number of fires from e-bike and e-scooter explosions has more than doubled between 2022 and 2023, with 17 fires in 2023 alone.
“There has been an increase in the amount of fires we have attended in South Yorkshire," said South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.
Advice from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service includes:
- Do not leave your device charging unattended or when you’re asleep
- Do not charge or store your battery in the hallway or where it could block your escape
- Only use the correct charger for your battery
- It is recommended that only a professional carries out an e-bike conversion
- Only buy e-bikes, e-scooters and batteries from trusted retailers and manufacturers, cheap and second-hand batteries bought online are much more dangerous
‘Fatal Four’ police campaign educates public on leading causes of road deaths
A South Yorkshire Police campaign aims to raise awareness about the 'Fatal Four' leading causes of road deaths and serious injury throughout April.
Through social media and presentations, SYP hope to tackle issues such as using mobile phones and wearing seatbelts.
15 people have been killed on the roads this year in South Yorkshire and over 200 were caught breaking the law since the start of the year.
The Fatal Four are:
- Inappropriate speed and not driving according to road/weather conditions
- Using a mobile phone behind the wheel
- Not wearing a seatbelt
- Drink/drug driving
The campaign is now in its third week and will be addressing seatbelts.
source: gov.uk
Last year, 1500 people died on the roads in England, making campaigns such as this vital for public safety.
This is a growing number, showing that informing and spreading awareness remains important.
By driving dangerously, people are not only putting their lives at risk, but the lives of others too.
The campaign is accessible on all main social media platforms like X, Facebook and TikTok.
For further information consult the Linktree created by South Yorkshire Police Safer Roads organisation: SYSaferRoads | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree
Hillsborough Disaster 35th anniversary: Liverpool FC players and staff lay wreaths to remember those who died
Players and staff from Liverpool FC paid respects to those who died 35 years ago in the Hillsborough disaster by laying wreaths at the Hillsborough Memorial.
Today marks the 35th anniversary of the disaster, in which ninety-seven people died in a crowd crush at Hillsborough stadium during an FA Cup semi-final on 15 April 1989.
"Always in our hearts, the 97 will never be forgotten," said one card signed "From Matt, Niamh, and the LFCW team" that was laid alongside the wreaths.
Hillsborough Disaster: Survivors group vows to “never forget” the unlawful killing of victims
The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance has marked the 35th anniversary of the Hillborough Disaster by vowing to "never forget" the memory of the victims.
During an FA Cup semi-final on 15 April 1989, 97 people died in a crowd crush at Hillsborough stadium.
On social media, the group posted: "35 years ago we all went to a football match, full of hope, on the sunniest of days. Us, the survivors returned, our lives changed forever, we lost the person that left home on that sunny morning. Today we remember the 97 and those we have lost along the way."
An inquest in 2016 determined that the disaster, which took place during a game between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest, was caused by "gross negligence" from the game's match commander, who should be held "responsible for manslaughter."
Hillsborough Disaster: Nottingham Forest FC remembers those who lost their lives
To mark the 35th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, Nottingham Forest FC has made a statement to honour the 97 victims of the crowd crush.
This afternoon, Liverpool with mark a minute's silence in memory of those who died at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield.
"The thoughts of everyone at Nottingham Forest are with all those who have been affected," wrote the sports team on social media.
An inquest in 2016 determined that the disaster, which took place during a game between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest, was caused by "gross negligence" from the game's match commander, who should be held "responsible for manslaughter."
Explosive e-bike and e-scooter fires on the rise in South Yorkshire
Aggressive lithium-ion fires are increasing, leaving fire fighters struggling to tackle fatal blazes.
These fires can reach over 1000 degrees and can be fully formed in two or three minutes.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said: “There has been an increase in the amount of fires we have attended in South Yorkshire.
“In 2023 there were 17 fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters, more than double the amount of all lithium-ion battery fires in 2022.”
E-bikes and e-scooters are powered using lithium-ion batteries. Issues arise when the battery is damaged and a process called “thermal runaway” takes place, a chain reaction which sees the battery drastically overheat.
This causes a release of toxic gases which then ignite and sometimes explode which can cause severe damage and injury.
The increase in fires has been seen across other parts of the country.
This year, London Fire Brigade has attended 31 e-bike fires and nine e-scooter fires so far, and in 2023, 11 people died as a result.
Latest data from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service shows that in 2023, it attended 26 lithium-ion battery fires, up from 16 in 2022.
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Services said they have attended four incidents linked to e-bikes and e-scooters since 2020, two of which occurred this year.
An increase has also been seen by Devon and Somerset and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Services who have noticed a surge in reports.
Fire services across the country have warned of the dangers of e-bike fires after an increasing number of reports.
Advice from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service includes:
- Do not leave your device charging unattended or when you’re asleep
- Do not charge or store your battery in the hallway or where it could block your escape
- Only use the correct charger for your battery
- It is recommended that only a professional carries out an e-bike conversion
- Only buy e-bikes, e-scooters and batteries from trusted retailers and manufacturers, cheap and second-hand batteries bought online are much more dangerous
Sheffield priest who led Nine O’Clock Service facing Crown Court today
A Sheffield priest who led an evangelical movement will appear in Crown Court today after being charged with 34 sexual abuse charges.
Christopher Brain, 66, was charged with one count of rape and 33 counts of indecent assault in relation to allegations made by 11 women.
He will face Sheffield Crown Court this afternoon for his plea and trial preparation.
The Reverend first appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Monday 18 March for a four-minute hearing where District Judge Marcus Waite granted him unconditional bail.
Brain, of Park Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, led the Nine O'Clock Service in Sheffield between 1986 and 1995.
The service was held in Ponds Forge sport complex in Sheffield city centre after moving from St Thomas' Church in Crookes, with the 'rave-inspired' church gaining a large following from young worshippers.
South Yorkshire Police investigated the church leader for over four years after a member of the Nine O'Clock Service came forward with claims about the Reverend's behaviour.
The church's authorities are carrying out their own investigation into the past leadership of the congregation. They have also been providing support to the group of claimants.
World Snooker Championships return to Sheffield Crucible despite calls for a venue change
Barry Hearn and Ronnie O’Sullivan are among those who are calling for the World Snooker Championships to change location, after being held at Sheffield’s Crucible for 48 consecutive years, reports Esmé Kenney.
The tournament will take place between 20 April and 6 May, and the winner will receive £500,000, out of a total prize fund of £2,395,000.
Sports promoter Barry Hearn has argued to City Council that a larger venue should be built to ensure the event stays in the city.
Shabnam Younus-Jewell, the BBC’s Snooker Correspondent, said: "As soon as you think you mention the World Championship you think of Sheffield, and you think of that iconic Crucible Theatre. It's got a wonderful history and there are so many people who think it's the whole home of snooker. People come from all around the world to come to the Crucible.
“From a business point of view. it doesn't really make sense to have the world championship of a sport in a venue that has less than a thousand seats."
Sheffield duo on a mission to recycle tents into clothes and accessories
A new Sheffield-based sustainability initiative is fundraising to recycle outdoor products into clothes and accessories.
The eco-friendly company, ReTribe, was founded by Lauren Mason, 35, and her friend Ben Harman, 33, in October 2023, after they witnessed hundreds of tents being abandoned at Creamfields Music Festival.
Lauren said: “We were shocked to see the sea of tents left behind, over 80% of people left their tents that year.
“People leave their tents at festivals due to convenience and a lack of knowledge of what happens to the tents after.
“Many festival goers think that they are leaving their tent for charities and the homeless, but this is not the case. Education is needed to show these tents are ending up in landfill.”
Knowing that all the unclaimed items were destined for landfill, the couple decided to salvage what they could and recycle it.
Both Lauren and Ben had previously worked together in the apparel industry as designers and product developers for 10 years.
Lauren said: “Together, we designed and developed technical clothing for men, women and children for several successful brands at Go Outdoors.
“Clothing and fabric waste is a bi-product of consumerism growth in the past 50 years, this has come from advances in manufacturing and is inevitable with the rate of that growth that we would have this much waste.
“What we need is solutions to reduce, repurpose and recycle this waste.”
The first item they designed was a bottle holder, but the range of items quickly grew to include bags, t-shirts, and fleece jackets.
They have set up a fundraiser to keep their project going, with the hopes of expanding it nationwide.
Lauren said: “We have so many plans and ideas. But we need to make our target on the fundraiser to keep our factory open, so one step at a time.”
Second Sheffield man charged with attempted murder after alleged stabbing in Darnall
A second man from Sheffield appeared in court today after being charged in connection with a reported stabbing in Darnall last week.
Adil Mohammed, 24, of Acres Hill Road, Sheffield, appeared before Sheffield Magistrates' Court earlier today after being charged with attempted murder.
Mr Mohammed pleaded not guilty today and is the second man charged in connection with the alleged assault last week.
It comes following an alleged stabbing on Staniforth Road on Tuesday evening left a 21-year-old man with serious injuries which are now thought to be life-changing.
The man had multiple suspected stab wounds and remains in hospital.
Mr Mohammed has been remanded in custody and is next due to appear before Sheffield Crown Court on 13 May.
World Snooker Championships return to Sheffield Crucible amid calls to change venue
Barry Hearn and Ronnie O’Sullivan are among those who are calling for the World Snooker Championships to change location, after being held at Sheffield’s Crucible for 48 consecutive years.
Barry Hearn, the sports promoter who played a huge role in making snooker a mainstream sport, called on Sheffield City Council to build a bigger venue for the event, as a compromise to keep the event in Sheffield.
Shabnam Younus-Jewell, the BBC’s Snooker Correspondent, said: "As soon as you think you mention the World Championship you think of Sheffield, and you think of that iconic Crucible Theatre. It's got a wonderful history and there are so many people who think it's the whole home of snooker. People come from all around the world to come to the Crucible.
“From a business point of view. it doesn't really make sense to have the world championship of a sport in a venue that has less than a thousand seats.
“The reason it has stayed there is because of that history.”
The first World Snooker Championships took place in Birmingham in 1927, and the Crucible first hosted the event in 1977.
Although the Crucible is contracted to host the event until 2027, Younus-Jewell said “it would not be a huge shock” if the event moved elsewhere after this.
“The Crucible has been a great home for it, but everything outgrows its home, and if you want the sport to move forward, then these difficult decisions have to be taken.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan, who has won seven World Championships in the sport and is competing this year, called for the event to be moved away from Sheffield entirely.
He said the facilities at the Crucible were not suitable for the number of people coming to watch, and suggested that the event should be moved to Saudi Arabia or China instead.
The qualifiers are underway at the English Institute of Sport, taking place between 7 April and 17 April.
The tournament will take place between 20 April and 6 May, and the winner will receive £500,000, out of a total prize fund of £2,395,000.
Last year’s tournament saw protests from Just Stop Oil, with one protestor climbing on the table during a match and covering it with orange powder while another attempted to glue themself to the table.
Luca Brecel won the Championships last year for the first time, and hopes to overcome the ‘Crucible curse’, where no-one has won a world championship the year after their first win.
According to Younus-Jewell, O’Sullivan and Judd Trump are going to be the favourites this year.
O’Sullivan has already achieved 8 UK Championships and 8 Masters. Winning this event would be his 8th World Championship, which would make him the first person to win that many World Championships.
Younus-Jewell said: “For him to leave that kind of legacy, everything is going to be riding on that.
“We could also have someone like Luca Brecel, who surprised everyone last year, and just comes to the Crucible and has the tournament of their life.”
Sir Salman Rushdie says he had a dream about being attacked
Rob Freeman, PA Media
Sir Salman Rushdie has said he did not want to attend the talk where he was attacked in 2022 after having a premonition of the incident.
The author suffered life-changing injuries in the knife attack, including the loss of his right eye, while preparing to deliver a speech on free speech in upstate New York.
In his first major television interview since the attack, Mr Rushdie, 76, told Anderson Cooper on CBS programme 60 minutes he had dreamed of a man bearing down on him with a spear in an “amphitheatre” in the days before the event.
“I woke up and I was quite shaken,” he said. “I said to my wife, Eliza, ‘You know I don’t want to go’. Because of the dream. And then I thought, ‘Don’t be silly. It’s a dream’.”
His 1988 book The Satanic Verses has been banned in Iran since it was published as many Muslims view it as blasphemous and its publication prompted Iran’s then-leader Ayatollah Khomeini to issue a fatwa calling for his death. The Iranian government withdrew support for the death sentence in 1998.
The Indian-born author, who said he had about “half a dozen serious assassination attempts” on his life, was due to speak about safe places for writers at the event in the small town of Chautauqua.
“It felt like something coming out of the distant past and trying to drag me back in time, if you like, back into that distant past, in order to kill me,” he said.
On April 21, he will discuss his book and the attack that left him blind in one eye and with a damaged hand as part of a series of events for the Southbank Centre’s Spring Literature and Spoken Word Season.