Residents in Manchester flats are once again being urged to take extra care when enjoying the warm weather on their balconies this summer.
It comes after instances of balcony fires occurred twice in a 24-hour period this week.
As the temperatures continue to soar as we power on into the summer months, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has issued a fresh safety warning after crews first attended a fire at a residential apartment block on Blackfriars Road in Salford last Friday evening (9 June), and were then called out to another similar incident just before 11am the day after (Saturday 10 June) at a three-storey townhouse on River Street in Manchester city centre.
The fire at the Salford apartment block happened when a wooden balcony on the 13th floor ignited after a cigarette was left in a dry plant pot, and subsequently caused the balcony’s safety glass to shatter and fall onto other balconies below.
Thankfully, firefighters were able to prevent the fires from spreading further and there were no injuries, but there was, however, “considerable damage” to balconies.
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📢 After two balcony fires in the space of 24 hours at the weekend, we want to remind people:
❌ Never barbecue on a balcony ❌ Never store flammable materials or gas on a balcony ❌ Never flick cigarettes off a balcony – always dispose of them safely
— Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) June 13, 2023
At the River Street townhouse, it was virtually the same scenario, as GMFRS confirmed the fire had also been caused by the unsafe disposal of a cigarette on a balcony, and although the blaze was extinguished before crews arrived, a damaged section of decking had to be removed to make sure the area was safe.
After these two fires within the 24-hour period, GMFRS is now warning residents in high-rise buildings to “take fire safety seriously”, never have a barbecue on a balcony, and also be more cautious when smoking.
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“The warm weather is welcome, but what we have seen in recent years is this often leads to residents deciding to barbecue on balconies,” explained Jenni Seex – Head of Protection and GMFRS.
“We want residents to be able to enjoy their balconies, but to also ensure they don’t put themselves or anyone else in danger.”
Fresh safety warning issued to Manchester residents after two balcony fires in 24 hours / Credit: GMFRS
GMFRS says it will also be working with housing providers, landlords, and managing companies to ensure residents are aware of fire safety advice and, where necessary, “support action being taken” against those who put their neighbours at risk this summer.
In extreme cases, GMFRS it will look at whether legal powers allow it to take action directly against residents to “place legal restrictions on how they use their balcony”.
Featured Image – GMFRS
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Manchester councillor Bev Craig has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List
Danny Jones
The leader of Manchester City Council and representative for Burnage, Bev Craig, has officially been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours List for 2026.
Councillor Craig, who has held her leadership position since October 2021, received the OBE for her services to local government.
She joins several other regional councillors to be named by King Charles III.
First elected by Burnage residents back in 2011, she has spent more than a decade and a half devoting her professional life to the community, as well as nearly a whole five years of that time at the highest level within the Council.
The University of Manchester graduate has played several key roles throughout her career, including giving back to higher education, helping trade unions, as well as serving as an executive member for adult social care and health during the pandemic, before serving as Deputy and eventually Leader.
Speaking in an official statement, Craig said: “To receive an OBE is a huge privilege, and to get awarded it for what I’ve been able to give back to our city is all the more special.
“Manchester is an incredible city, made special by its people and a place I’m proud to call home.
“Leading our city is a privilege I don’t take for granted, so to get awarded an OBE for what we’ve been doing to make Manchester an even better place to live and improve the lives of Manchester people, while creating a city that is fairer and more inclusive for generations to come, is the real honour.”
With the Council having also confirmed two special NYE events on either side of the Town Hall this year, it feels like a fitting celebration.
Congratulations to Bev Craig on the well-deserved accolade and title; we have no doubt she’ll continue to excel in her post.
You can find the King’s 2026 New Year Honours List HERE.
As for the discussion around knighthoods, many Brits are currently calling for a change in the rules in hopes of making OBE, CBE and MBE, Kevin Sinfield a Sir.
Featured Images — Publicity picture (via Manchester City Council)
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VAR audio requested as Nottingham Forest prepare complaint after Man City defeat
Danny Jones
Nottingham Forest have requested that the VAR audio from their game against Manchester City be released, as they are considering launching a formal complaint following the defeat.
Forest hosted Man City at home this past weekend and went on to lose 2-1.
However, Sean Dyche’s side are said to be ‘extremely unhappy’ with some of the refereeing decisions made by first official, Rob Jones, on the day.
As a result, they are now asking the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to share some of the conversations between on-pitch officials and the VAR team at Stockley Park in West London.
"I'm scratching my head and I can't believe it!" 😳
Sean Dyche wasn't happy with the officiating in their loss to Man City 😬
As you can see, Dyche initially said that “there’s no point” in pushing the refs on their performance, as he feels they usually only “get in trouble”, but it looks as though his employers have advocated for him.
Nottingham Forest had a problem with the final call in a number of instances during the festive fixture on Saturday, 27 December, but none more so than in one key moment.
The manager and his coaching team felt that Rayan Cherki’s 83rd-minute winner should have been cancelled out following a foul by Nico O’Reilly on Morgan Gibbs-White in the preceding corner, which may have prevented Cherki from scoring another decisive finish.
Dyche also argued that another City defender, Ruben Dias, was due a second yellow card and therefore dismissal from the pitch for a challenge after the break, but there was ultimately nothing doing.
You can see the collision here:
"I do have sympathy for Sean Dyche… it is a second yellow card!"
Ref Watch discuss whether Ruben Dias should have been sent off against Nottingham Forest. pic.twitter.com/dxTYmGsEqZ
According to Sky Sports News, Nottingham have already requested more information from the refereeing body, with this not being the first time they’ve felt hard done by.
As they put it, the hope/belief is that raising the issue could help “start a broader discussion around officiating this season.”
What do you make of Forest’s concerns against Manchester City, and do you think they’re worthy of launching an official complaint against the PGMOL and Premier League?
You can see the highlights from the game and perhaps decide for yourself down below.
Emily Sergeant -
15th June 2023 
