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Firefighters slam ‘careless’ people responsible for devastating blaze at beauty spot

When will people learn?!

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 5th August 2024

Firefighters have, once again, called out irresponsible people after a section of the Peak District was ‘devastated’ by a fire.

Images shared by local fire crews showed a section of the beauty spot burned, charred and smoking – and at the heart of the blaze, a disposable barbecue.

Glossop Fire Station said that preventable blazes like this take resources away from life-risking emergencies.

They also stressed that while it may be a nice summer barbecue to us, it’s ‘devastating’ for the local wildlife whose habitats are lost.

The fire was quickly contained but as many of us remember from the devastating scenes of 2018, moorland blazes can spread quickly.

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And the local teams have used this near miss as an opportunity to remind people not to light or use disposable barbecues in the countryside.

Glossop Fire Station wrote on Facebook: “Please act responsibly! Do not light a bbq on the moors or open countryside!

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Woodhead in the Peak District was left in this state after a fire caused by a disposable barbecue. Credit: Facebook, Chapel on Call Fire Station
Woodhead in the Peak District was left in this state after a fire caused by a disposable barbecue. Credit: Facebook, Chapel on Call Fire Station

“To you it may be a summer evening bbq with family or friends! To the wildlife whose habitat is lost, its devastation!

“To us, the firefighters and emergency services responding to put out the fire that you so carelessly started, intentionally or not, it takes our resources away from being available for life risk emergencies.

“So please think! Please act responsibly. Don’t take a bbq, pack a picnic, enjoy the great outdoors but leave our beautiful countryside for everyone to enjoy.”

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Chapel On Call Fire Station also said, with a photo of the disposable barbecue on the burnt ground: “Last night, ourselves Whaley Bridge Fire Station and Glossop Fire Station responded to a moor fire on Woodhead. After arriving and walking onto the moor, this is what we found…”

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Featured image: Facebook, Chapel On Call Fire Station

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Tributes paid to ‘much-loved’ Manchester firefighter who died unexpectedly last week

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Tributes have been paid to a ‘much-loved’ Manchester firefighter who died unexpectedly at his home last week.

Francois Childs, who was better known as ‘Frankie’ to his friends and family, served on Green Watch at Broughton Community Fire Station in Salford, where he had been based since joining Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (GMFRS) in January 2018.

Frankie joined GMFRS following a career in banking, and serving with the machine gun platoon of the Bury Fusiliers.

But the 44-year-old sadly passed away “suddenly and unexpectedly” at his home in Prestwich last Tuesday (3 September).

The former Army reservist leaves behind wife Sarah, two children, his parents, and three brothers.

As well as being a dedicated GMFRS firefighter, Frankie was also one of 12 Fire Brigade Union (FBU) members who volunteered their time to travel to France to support the Care 4 Calais Charity back in November of 2023. 

Paying tribute to Frankie following his sad passing, Sarah Nattrass, who is the Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Director of Service Delivery at GMFRS, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of one of our colleagues and share our heartfelt condolences with Frankie’s family, friends, and colleagues.

“Frankie was part of our GMFRS family for more than six years as a much-loved member of Green Watch, Broughton, and he will be very sadly missed by all his friends and colleagues.”

The FBU has also paid a touching tribute.

“The charity could not provide this support without dedicated and caring people like Frankie,” an FBU spokesperson said.

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“His support will not be forgotten by the FBU or by the many people his efforts undoubtedly helped contributed to making refugees lives better.”

Featured Image – GMFRS

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US rapper Ice Spice to play massive Manchester show next month on her Y2K World Tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Things are about to get a whole lot chillier in Manchester next month, as Ice Spice is set for a massive show in our city.

Fresh off-the-back of headlining Wireless Festival in July, the princess of rap is coming back to the UK next month, and will be bringing the world of Y2K to Manchester, taking over one of the city’s most iconic venues.

Ice Spice, who is most notable for her heavy-hitting beats and collaborations with acts like Nicki Minaj and PinkPantheress, will be arriving in Manchester in a couple of weeks time for the first of three UK dates on her world tour.

After stopping off in Manchester, the rapper will also performing in Birmingham and London in November, so us Mancs need to set the bar high first.

The 24-year-old only came onto the rap scene three years ago, and since then has seen herself become a social media music phenomenon – with each drop gaining more traction than the last.

Her recent single ‘Did It First’ features UK drill artist Central Cee, who joined her on stage at Wireless Festival as part of her headlining slot this July, where she wowed a crowd of 50,000.

‘Y2K’ is the name of the rapper’s debut album, not to be confused with the early noughties fashion resurgence of the same name. However, the real meaning behind the project’s name is due to the American star being born on 1 January 2000.

She may only be 5ft 3, but Ice Spice sure packs a punch, and if it’s not her fiery orange hair, then it’s her carefree stage presence that sets her apart from the rest.

O2 Victoria Warehouse has been a hotspot for many artists including Mabel, Aitch and Becky Hill since its rebrand in 2018, and now the 3,500 capacity venue will be housing The Bronx native Ice Spice on Wednesday 30 October.

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Tickets are now on sale, with a general admission ticket setting you back £58.35, but there’s also the option to purchase a meet and greet package for £216.35.

Grab tickets here.

Featured Image – Ice Spice (via Instagram)

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