(Image: Newsquest)
A shop owner has spoken out after fireworks were seized from his premises during an inspection this week.
The inspection at Big Shotter Fireworks on Darley Street was carried out by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) and West Yorkshire Police.
The fire service said the business was found to be storing fireworks in excess of permitted limits, posing a "significant risk to public safety."
'Not the right kind of publicity'
Jamil Ashraf, owner of Big Shotter Fireworks, said: "We are working with the fire service to resolve the matter.
"The fire service did not take away any illegal fireworks.
"This has given us publicity, just not the right kind of publicity.
"We’re working with the local authorities on this, and hopefully we’ll have a solution in the next couple of weeks."
'We're working to resolve the matter'
Mr Ashraf explained that the issue was related to licensing and storage limits, not the legality of the stock.
He said: "We hold a few different licences.
"It was a licensing issue.
"We’ll have a solution to the problem."
He could not confirm how many fireworks were seized but insisted it "wasn’t a great deal."
Full fire service statement
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "WYFRS has seized a significant quantity of fireworks from a commercial premises in Bradford following a planned inspection.
"The action was taken after officers identified that fireworks were being stored in excess of the permitted limits, creating a significant risk to public safety.
"The seizure was carried out using powers available under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and with the assistance of West Yorkshire Police.
"The fireworks have been removed from the premises and are being safely stored whilst enquiries are ongoing."
Shop remains open
The seizure followed pictures and video shared on social media showing officers removing boxes of fireworks from the shop on Tuesday.
Mr Ashraf said the inspection came during the shop’s busiest period of the year.
He said: "70 per cent of our sales come over Halloween, Bonfire Night and New Year."
Despite the setback, he confirmed that the shop remains open for business.
He said: "But we’re still in the game and open as normal."