Tag: Halifax

  • 21 people detained during Halifax pro-Palestinian protest

    21 people detained during Halifax pro-Palestinian protest

    Halifax police arrested 21 people at a pro-Palestinian protest in downtown Halifax on Monday morning.

    The police said that the 21 people who were arrested will be set free on Monday. They will also be charged for getting in the way, and some will also be charged for not using a sidewalk and not following the directions of a police officer.

    Protesters were standing in a group at an intersection and sitting in a circle in the middle of the road.

    The police arrested 21 people because they wouldn’t go away after the police had talked to the them to try and move off the road. More than twelve police officers were also seen at the place.

    According to A15Halifax, they were demonstrating to support an economic blockade for Palestine.

    The Hollis Street and Terminal Road area is no longer blocked, but a group of 20 to 30 protestors went to the police headquarters on Gottingen Street around 11:30 am.

    “We want everyone to know that we support peaceful protests, but we will take action to keep the public safe if needed,” the statement says.

  • 9-year-old girl dies in hospital after being struck by car at a crosswalk

    9-year-old girl dies in hospital after being struck by car at a crosswalk

    A girl was killed at a pedestrian crossing in Halifax over the weekend after being struck by a car.

    Shortly after 11 am, a black Vauxhall Corsa struck the nine-year-old in Halifax, badly injuring her.

    She passed away in a hospital, according to the police.

    After a PCSO on duty stumbled upon the event, emergency personnel were on the scene in King Cross Street quickly.

    According to reports, she was crossing the street with an adult when the accident occurred.

    Paramedics took the girl to hospital for emergency treatment in a critical condition. 

    Officers confirmed today that the schoolgirl had died, and that the family have requested privacy at this time.

    A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm that a nine-year-old girl who was seriously injured in a collision in Halifax on Saturday (8 July) has now died.

    ‘We would ask that people are respectful of the family’s privacy at this exceptionally difficult time.

    ‘Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the collision, which happened shortly after 11am on King Cross Street near to the junction with Park Road and involved a black Vauxhall Corsa.

    ‘The driver of the Vauxhall Corsa, a 53-year-old man, was arrested and has been released on bail.

    This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

  • Home burns to the ground after a lithium battery explodes

    Home burns to the ground after a lithium battery explodes

    This “horrifying” video captures the moment an electric motorcycle battery made of lithium ion material detonated, starting a house fire that required hospitalization for five persons.

    A resident in Illingworth, Halifax, is seen in the video hurrying downstairs in the middle of the night after hearing popping noises.

    A few seconds later, the battery blows up, igniting the living room and causing the home to catch fire.

    Following the blaze, which started on February 24 at around 1am, five people who were present in the building at the time were brought to the hospital.

    All of them got smoke inhalation, and one additionally had mouth and windpipe burns.

    West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has now warned people of the dangers of lithium batteries and urged them not to leave them charging unattended.

    Watch manager John Cavalier said: ‘While fires involving lithium batteries are common, having a video showing the violence of the fire’s development is not.

    ‘It’s clear to see in the video that the fire is absolutely horrifying – none of us would want this to happen in our homes.’

    He said the popping sound indicated the e-motorbike batteries were failing due to ‘thermal runway’ – when too much heat is generated within a battery.

    WM Cavalier went on: ‘Because lithium batteries can be found in a range of items, we frequently attend fires involving them. They can be found in cars, bikes, scooters, laptops, phones, and e-cigarettes, amongst many other items.

    ‘Any other type of fire we deal with has usually developed slowly, and people are able to get out quickly. However, battery fires are so ferocious and spread so quickly that there isn’t as much time to escape.

    ‘To help keep everyone in your family safe, don’t leave lithium batteries to charge unattended, don’t put them in the way of exits or in hallways and unplug chargers when the batteries are at full capacity.

    ‘I’d like to thank the owner of the house who gave us permission to use the video – it clearly shows the dangers associated with lithium batteries and could help to save lives in West Yorkshire.’

    WYFRS’s lithium battery safety advice

    1. Always use the correct and branded charger for the battery.
    2. Buy the correct and branded replacement battery for the device.
    3. Do not use batteries with damaged casings, or casings that may be damaged.
    4. Do not use batteries that appear swollen or appear to have deformed in any way.
    5. Avoid storing, using, or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures.
    6. Don’t leave batteries continuously on charge. Once the charging cycle is complete, remove the battery from the charger.
    7. Charge batteries away from combustible items and preferably where they can be monitored.
    8. Never cover chargers or charging devices, for example a laptop and/or its power pack on or under bedding.
    9. When travelling by air, lithium batteries must be carried in your hand luggage.
    10. Don’t leave batteries unattended or charge them anywhere that blocks your exits.