A polite request from East Leicester Police - the team which covers Belgrave and the surrounding area
Diwali comes into its own after dark. It is after all the Festival of Lights.
There will be plenty of illumunations and fireworks later. And the police message when it comes to fireworks, even sparklers, is ' be very careful'.
The East Leicester team posted on social media earlier: "They can be very pretty but can be dangerous and need to be used with caution.
"Fireworks and sparklers must be used in an enclosed garden and not on the local park, green space, car park or the pavement outside of your house.
"A sparkler burns at a temperature of around 2,000 degrees celsius which is 20 times hotter than boiling water. So used in a public place and left on the ground the sparkler will stay hot for a long time and can cause serious burns to anyone who may pick it up after.
"Sparklers need to be used in your enclosed garden and after they have gone out put them in a bucket of water straight the way and leave them in there till the next day.
"Children under five should not be using sparklers and those over five need adult supervision. Gloves should be worn and the sparklers held at arm’s length.
"Fireworks are pretty but are very dangerous as you could put a firework on the ground to shoot into the air but what if that firework tips over and then misfires in the wrong direction.
Officers urged people to use fireworks safely and within the law
"When fireworks are used in a garden they should be in a large enough area with enough room for the spectators to stand well back from them.
"They also need to be discarded correctly in a bucket of water after use and for you to never go back to a firework that hasn’t gone off. You can also see fireworks at organised events in your area.
"Remeber, it is an offence to let fireworks and sparklers off in a public place."
A five-year-old girl and her father were among 10 people killed in the devastating explosion at a petrol station in Ireland, as the identities of all the victims were revealed.
Shauna Flanagan Garwe and her father Robert Garwe, 50, had popped into the petrol station shop to buy a birthday cake for her mum at the time of the explosion.
Catherine O Donnell, 39, and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan were also among the dead following the blast in the village of Creeslough on Friday afternoon, in what has been described as a "freak accident".
In a news conference on Sunday, police said the other six victims were James O Flaherty, 48, Jessica Gallagher, 24, Martin McGill, 49, Hugh Kelly, 59, Martina Martin, 49, and 14-year-old Leona Harper.
Image:Leona Harper, 14
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Petrol station blast victims named
A man in his 20s is in a critical condition in hospital in Dublin, while seven other people are being treated at Letterkenny University Hospital and are described as being in a stable condition.
Tributes have been paid to Leona, with Letterkenny Rugby Club describing her as a "talented rugby player" and an "important part of our U14 girls' team" in a post on their Facebook page.
Leona's father Hugh wrote underneath the post: "The past 24 hours have been nothing short of hell.
"Leona loved rugby, although this year she was taking time out for boxing. But her first love was Letterkenny Rugby Club."
Image:Shauna Flanagan Garwe, aged five, was killed in the blast with her father Robert
Image:Robert Garwe, 50
Leona and fellow victim James Monaghan were pupils at Mulroy College, as were a number of those injured in the blast.
The school's principal Fiona Temple said: "We as a school community are devastated on hearing of the tragedy and the fatal outcome for our two beautiful students and our cherished parents.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families and the Creeslough community at this time.
"We are numbed by this overwhelming sadness and will work together to support all members of our school community in the coming days, weeks and months ahead."
Image:Catherine O Donnell, 39., and her son James Monaghan, 13 years
Image:Martina Martin, 49
Glenswilly Gaelic Athletic Association posted in memory of Ms Martin, saying the club had been "shocked" to learn of her death in the disaster.
Garda Superintendent Liam Geraghty said on Sunday that the scene of the explosion is still being examined and remains cordoned off.
Image:Hugh Kelly, 59
Image:Martin McGill, 49
Post mortem examinations on the victims have started and will continue over the next few days, although results will not be released for "operational reasons".
Mr Geraghty said: "It is a huge impact for a small rural community - they were all local people, all very much involved in the community, all shopping in their local shop.
"But it is a very strong community, as seen here on Friday afternoon...so I'm sure the community will come together and will support each other."
Meanwhile, parents hugged their children as hundreds of people attended a vigil in the town of Milford, a half an hour's drive from Creeslough, in memory of the 10 people who died.
Prayers were said and music was played, including a song called Creeslough, written and played by a local musician.
It is the first of almost 20 vigils due to be held across Co Donegal on Sunday.
It came after the Pope offered his condolences to the people of Ireland in the wake of the explosion.
A statement sent by his representative to Bishop of Raphoe Alexander McGuckian reads: "His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the loss of life and destruction caused by the explosion in Creeslough and he expresses his spiritual closeness to all those suffering in the aftermath of this tragedy.
"While entrusting the deceased to the merciful love of almighty god, His Holiness implores the divine blessings of consolation and healing upon the injured, the displaced and the families coping with pain of loss.
"As a pledge of strength and peace in the lord, the Holy Father sends his blessing to all the people of Ireland."
Bishop McGuckian earlier told Sunday mass at St Michael's Church that the community of Creeslough was "living through a nightmare of shock and horror".
He added: "Over the last couple of days as people gathered in groups to talk about what has happened here these last days, the one word that stands out for me in relation to the explosion is something somebody said.
"It is so random, they said. And what she was referring to was, anybody could have been caught up in that. There's something deeply shocking and upsetting about what life throws up, can throw up."
Mr Geraghty said there had been "very traumatic scenes" on Friday, adding that emergency services personnel had come from across Co Donegal as well as from Northern Ireland to help.
A dad and his five-year-old daughter are amongst the victims of the devastating explosion in Co Donegal which killed 10 people.
As the community rallies to support the families, the names of more of the victims have been released locally. It is understood the five-year-old girl and her father were at the Applegreen Service Station buying a birthday cake for her mum.
Other victims are understood to have included a mother and son who called to the shop in Creeslough on the way home from school, and a man using the ATM, the Irish Mirror reports.
On Saturday night, Gardai said the death toll includes four men, three women, two teenagers and a young girl.
A number of the victims named locally included Catherine O’Donnell, 38, and her 14-year-old son James, Jessica Gallagher, 23, and Hugh Gallagher. Martin McGill, who was in his mid 40s, Hughie Kelly and budding rugby player Leona Harper, 14, are also known to have been killed. All of the victims are from the local area.
Last night Leona’s heartbroken brother Anthony paid tribute to his little sister on Facebook.
He said: “I don’t know where to begin Leona. I couldn’t have asked for a better little sister. You would go mad for me putting this up of you now because it’s an old picture of you. Leona I love you so much and we all love you so much.”
Her death was announced by Letterkenny Rugby Club, who said she was an “important” part of their U14s team.
It posted on Facebook: “We are heartbroken to say our worst fears have been confirmed. Leona Harper tragically lost her life yesterday in Creeslough. She was a talented rugby player and an important part of our U14 girls team.
“To Leona’s parents, Hugh and Donna, her brothers Anthony and Jamie, and all of her team-mates, we offer you our deepest condolences and support. There are no words that feel strong enough at a moment of deep sorrow such as this. Rest in peace, Leona.”
Gardai said all those who had been reported missing were now accounted for although forensic teams would continue to sift through the rubble.
A major emergency was declared at the nearby hospital on Friday as locals rushed to help rescue people who could be heard crying for help beneath the rubble.
They formed a human chain to clear debris and rescue a girl in her mid teens, but were unable to save her friend.
Nina Gabel, who was at the cordon on Friday evening, described distressing scenes.
She said: “There was one woman who didn’t know where her daughter was and she was very upset. What looked like farmers’ tractors were helping to dig out the rubble.”
As Taoiseach Micheal Martin visited the scene for himself, Supt David Kelly, of Milford Garda station, confirmed all 10 victims were from the locality.
He said: “This is a tragedy for our community, there are families left devastated.
“I just want to start by offering, on behalf of myself and my colleagues that attended the scene yesterday and indeed are continuing to do so, our very sincere condolences.
“In this point in time we have to keep an open mind as a police service and how we investigate this.
“But our information at this point in time is pointing towards a tragic accident.”
Jessica Gallagher, 23, reportedly lived in a flat above the petrol station (Image: Facebook)
In an update on Saturday night a Garda spokesman said the search operation at the scene had concluded and no further casualties had been located.
He added: “The technical bureau has commenced an examination of the scene, with assistance from the health and safety authority and national utility companies.
“The local coroner and the office of the State pathologist have been notified and postmortems will take place over the coming days.
“Garda family liaison are providing support and information to those impacted by this incident.”
Relatives maintained a hushed presence at the scene last night as an air of disbelief hung in the air. The HSE said its psychological social response team would “remain present” in Creeslough over the coming days to provide counselling support.
It stated: “Each bereaved family will be offered the contact details of an identified support person. Wider community support services will be available over the coming weeks and months as required.”
One local man, who lives a kilometre from the blast site, told how he felt a “sonic boom” and was knocked off his chair when the tragedy struck.
Eamonn McFadden, who was working at his laptop at the time, said: “There was this huge bang. We were rocked to the very core.
“The house shook and the people in the house shook. It was actually hard to describe what it felt like other than to call it a sonic boom.
“It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.” Mr McFadden said he knew something “catastrophic” had happened. He rushed to the scene and found utter carnage and devastation.
The witness said: “It was like something you would see in a movie. It was catastrophic.
“There were no emergency services at the scene at that stage so we helped as best we could. It was just very difficult to know even where to start.”
Emergency services at the scene in Creeslough (Image: Getty images)
Mr McFadden revealed how one man emerged from the rubble of the apartments and was barely injured.
He said: “That was hard to believe but it was great to see that he was not injured.
“A ladder was put up to him and we managed to take him down.
“That was one happy ending but unfortunately it was not the case for so many.”
Kieran Gallagher, whose house is 150 yards away, also rushed to the scene to help.
He said: “I had the back door open and there was a blast. It was like a bomb. I went up to help.
“There were workmen and tradesmen everywhere. We were clearing the rubble and lifting concrete blocks and lead from the roof and timber with nails in it. There were shopping baskets, greeting cards, sympathy cards, and other cards I couldn’t really see you know, we were too busy. It was a devastating scene.”
Speaking to Greg Hughes on Highland Radio, a tearful Mr Gallagher said he knows all of the deceased including a neighbour and a five-year-old girl.
He added: “I know my neighbour worked on the till. She has passed away. My friend’s sister and son have passed away and I know the father and the young fella.
“There’s a five-year-old girl... herself and her father were on the forecourt and passed away.”
And he said one young man who was working in the shop was lucky to survive the blast after he left to go to the store room.
A 22-year-old woman has died after a hit-and-run in Oswestry.
West Mercia Police said a car mounted a kerb at about 02:50 BST and hit two people outside the Grill Out takeaway on Willow Street.
Both were transferred to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital by ambulance. The woman died shortly after arrival while the second person had minor injuries.
Police said the vehicle, believed to be a light gold or champagne colour Volvo, and its driver are yet to be located.
Detective Inspector Paul Bettison said: "Clearly this is a concerning incident and I'd like to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to locate the vehicle and driver.
"Our thoughts go out to family of the woman who has died as a result of this tragic incident.
"I would urge anyone who was in the area at the time and may have mobile phone, dash cam or CCTV images footage of the incident itself, or the car in the moments leading up to the incident, to please contact us.
"We believe there may have been a number of passengers in the vehicle, and I would also urge them to come forward."
Four cabinet ministers have urged their colleagues to rally behind Liz Truss or risk election defeat amid infighting in the Tory party.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Nadhim Zahawi, Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt and Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena have all written articles calling on the party to unite around the new prime minister or risk ending up in opposition.
Cabinet ministers are planning to ambush the prime minister in a meeting on Tuesday to demand she rules out raising benefits in line with wages rather than inflation, according to the Sunday Times.
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, a long-time ally of Ms Truss, is reported to have put her chances of survival at "only 40-60" on Monday, though he denied the remarks.
It has also been rumoured former transport secretary Grant Shapps, who backed Ms Truss's rival Rishi Sunak for the Tory leadership, is offering to volunteer as a caretaker prime minister.
One report featured particularly harsh words for Michael Gove, with the former Cabinet minister branded "sadistic" after he helped force the chancellor's humiliating U-turn on tax at the party's annual conference.
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Meanwhile, polling by Opinium for the Observer put Ms Truss's personal approval rating at minus 47 and Mr Kwarteng's at minus 51.
Ms Braverman used her piece in The Sun on Sunday to warn against "splits and fallout" in the Tory Party.
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"Those working with Labour to undermine our prime minister are putting the Conservatives' chance of victory at the next election in real danger," she wrote.
"So the choice for my colleagues and for us is as party is simple: Back Liz or get Keir Starmer, hand-in-hand with Nicola Sturgeon."
She previously said she was "disappointed" by the mid-conference U-turn on cutting income tax for the highest earners and accused rebels such as Mr Gove of staging a "coup".
But she has also expressed views which risked setting her at odds with government policy in recent days, saying she has "reservations" about relaxing immigration controls as part of any trade deal with India and suggesting the UK should leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
In an article for the Mail on Sunday Mr Zahawi admitted the government did not get the "whole package right" when it came to his plan for growth, acknowledging the climbdown on the 45% rate for earnings over £150,000.
However, he drew a line under the debacle, writing: "Another big decision, done."
"That is the mark of the prime minister's leadership," he said.
"She listened and decided to focus on what matters most: the bulk of our plan to get Britain moving."
He insisted "now is the time" for the Tories to rally behind Ms Truss, warning the alternative - a Labour government "propped up" by the SNP - is "beyond concerning".
"We cannot allow the keys of the Kingdom to be allowed to fall into their hands," he said.
"That is why my fellow Conservatives need to hold our nerve."
Mr Zahawi said the Tories should support their leader and not be "working against her" and cautioned "division will only result in drift, delay and defeat".
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Voters have their say on Truss and Starmer
Ms Mordaunt also warned against a divide within party ranks, writing in The Sunday Telegraph, she said Ms Truss had "acknowledged mistakes were made" with the mini-budget and "acted" accordingly.
"Anyone can wave to the cameras. Anyone can be all things to all people. That's the easy bit," Ms Mordaunt said.
"You measure leaders when they are in the ring dazzled by the media lights taking punch after punch and taking the hard decisions required.
"All my colleagues have a part to play in delivering for the British people. We need all talents helping our nation now. Division will only play into the hands of those who would take our country in the wrong direction."
Mr Jayawardena issued a similar message in The Sunday Express, saying colleagues must "get behind" Ms Truss and "deliver, deliver, deliver".
"A failure to do so will result in a coalition of chaos - a Labour government, propped up by the SNP and the Lib Dems," he said.
"We need to back Liz Truss - or get Keir Starmer in Nicola Sturgeon's pocket."
