Phil M
@phillm.bsky.social
Manc, council house lad. Army vet (RCT), ExFirefighter (GMFRS), Fire Engineer (IFE) & fire data researcher (Leeds Uni). Medically retired (Menière’s). Vertiginous, going deaf. Pioneered fire risk determination by building type. INFJ. ADHD. @HRRBFireSafety.
Pinned
Absolutely horrific.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c2...
Hong Kong fire: At least 13 dead as more than 700 firefighters tackle blaze - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c2...
Hong Kong fire: At least 13 dead as more than 700 firefighters tackle blaze - BBC News
Hong Kong fire: At least 13 dead as more than 700 firefighters tackle blaze
The fire has engulfed a number of buildings, with flames spreading on bamboo scaffolding. At least one firefighter is among the dead.
www.bbc.co.uk
I've posted a few things about the horrendous & catastrophic High Rise Residential Building (HRRB) fire in Hong Kong, I spoke to the World Service about it last night, because this is my specialism. So, a thread 🧵 about the rapid fire spread... bsky.app/profile/phil...
Reposted by Phil M
Given the recent Epic Games ruling and controlling law, Google’s (attempted) move to kill all alternative methods of installing apps on Android and to require all applications to go through its exclusive system would violate antitrust laws.
tuta.com/blog/google-...
tuta.com/blog/google-...
Google wants to kill Android freedom: Say Goodbye to installing independent apps | Tuta
Google's plans have the potential to stop you from downloading independent apps and destroy platforms like F-Droid.
tuta.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Given the recent Epic Games ruling and controlling law, Google’s (attempted) move to kill all alternative methods of installing apps on Android and to require all applications to go through its exclusive system would violate antitrust laws.
tuta.com/blog/google-...
tuta.com/blog/google-...
Cubatao, Brazil, on Thursday.
Cargo: cellulose.
Cargo: cellulose.
November 29, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Cubatao, Brazil, on Thursday.
Cargo: cellulose.
Cargo: cellulose.
Reposted by Phil M
Hard-hitting truth-telling from UCL Prof Anthony Costello….
“The Covid Public Inquiry is a devastating critique of medical advisers, civil servants and politicians who led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century. More than 230,000 deaths.”
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
“The Covid Public Inquiry is a devastating critique of medical advisers, civil servants and politicians who led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century. More than 230,000 deaths.”
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
230,000 Deaths and the ‘Calculated Silence’ of the Medical Establishment About the COVID Inquiry
The Covid Inquiry Report is a devastating critique of the medical establishment which led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century, argues Anthony Costello
www.bylinesupplement.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Hard-hitting truth-telling from UCL Prof Anthony Costello….
“The Covid Public Inquiry is a devastating critique of medical advisers, civil servants and politicians who led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century. More than 230,000 deaths.”
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
“The Covid Public Inquiry is a devastating critique of medical advisers, civil servants and politicians who led the UK to the worst public health disaster in a century. More than 230,000 deaths.”
www.bylinesupplement.com/p/230000-dea...
Reposted by Phil M
The annual Manchester Christmas tradition of getting stuck in the Arndale car park for hours has returned.
November 16, 2025 at 10:16 AM
The annual Manchester Christmas tradition of getting stuck in the Arndale car park for hours has returned.
Reposted by Phil M
Fire safety expert @phillm.bsky.social speaking on BBC about #HongKong fire (from 4 mins)
“expanded polystyrene around windows would explain how fire got into so many apartments so quickly” bbc.com/audio/play/w...
“expanded polystyrene around windows would explain how fire got into so many apartments so quickly” bbc.com/audio/play/w...
BBC Audio | Newshour | 80 dead after Hong Kong's worst fire in decades
Police suspect that safety mesh on the exterior didn't meet specifications
bbc.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Fire safety expert @phillm.bsky.social speaking on BBC about #HongKong fire (from 4 mins)
“expanded polystyrene around windows would explain how fire got into so many apartments so quickly” bbc.com/audio/play/w...
“expanded polystyrene around windows would explain how fire got into so many apartments so quickly” bbc.com/audio/play/w...
Reposted by Phil M
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Phil M
People apparently happy for journalists to parade their lack of self-awareness to the world. A bit like the staple of local papers: "Outrageous! I "didn't see" multiple traffic restriction signs and got a camera fine."
Huge respect to the papers for finding both an 88 year old worried about the tax bill on her 6 bedroom Kensington house and a 20 year old fretting about only being able to save £12k a year tax free.
Top work all around. These are not easy case studies to find.
Top work all around. These are not easy case studies to find.
November 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
People apparently happy for journalists to parade their lack of self-awareness to the world. A bit like the staple of local papers: "Outrageous! I "didn't see" multiple traffic restriction signs and got a camera fine."
Reposted by Phil M
Satellite data suggests the scale of the problem is vast - between 8000 + 13,000 illegal waste sites in the UK. Regulators are under-resourced to meet this challenge. They closed 700 dumps last year - a huge number until compared to the full number of sites.
2/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
2/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
At least 8,000 illegal waste sites in UK, research suggests
Exclusive: Concerns over impact on health and environment, as well as £1.63bn in avoided landfill tax
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Satellite data suggests the scale of the problem is vast - between 8000 + 13,000 illegal waste sites in the UK. Regulators are under-resourced to meet this challenge. They closed 700 dumps last year - a huge number until compared to the full number of sites.
2/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
2/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Phil M
There's absolutely no restrictions on what goes into an illegal landfill which means no control on what seeps out of them into water, soil + air. We've heard reports of substances like asbestos at illegal sites, others of waste burning + acrid smoke.
🧵
1/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
🧵
1/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
At least 8,000 illegal waste sites in UK, research suggests
Exclusive: Concerns over impact on health and environment, as well as £1.63bn in avoided landfill tax
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:33 AM
There's absolutely no restrictions on what goes into an illegal landfill which means no control on what seeps out of them into water, soil + air. We've heard reports of substances like asbestos at illegal sites, others of waste burning + acrid smoke.
🧵
1/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
🧵
1/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Phil M
I’m sorry, if you can’t pay a few thousand in tax on a property valued more than £2m, you can sell it and rent like the rest of us. No sympathy, no pity, you get nothing from me
November 29, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I’m sorry, if you can’t pay a few thousand in tax on a property valued more than £2m, you can sell it and rent like the rest of us. No sympathy, no pity, you get nothing from me
Reposted by Phil M
‘I bought my home for £4,000 in 1970 [£96,927 valued as of Oct 2025]’, six bedrooms, Kensington, this ghoul sitting in front of a fuckoff massive grand piano.
By the iron law of selfish bellends demanding your pity in the paper deserve their comeuppance, she forfeits everything.
By the iron law of selfish bellends demanding your pity in the paper deserve their comeuppance, she forfeits everything.
Huge respect to the papers for finding both an 88 year old worried about the tax bill on her 6 bedroom Kensington house and a 20 year old fretting about only being able to save £12k a year tax free.
Top work all around. These are not easy case studies to find.
Top work all around. These are not easy case studies to find.
November 29, 2025 at 11:20 AM
‘I bought my home for £4,000 in 1970 [£96,927 valued as of Oct 2025]’, six bedrooms, Kensington, this ghoul sitting in front of a fuckoff massive grand piano.
By the iron law of selfish bellends demanding your pity in the paper deserve their comeuppance, she forfeits everything.
By the iron law of selfish bellends demanding your pity in the paper deserve their comeuppance, she forfeits everything.
Thoughts and prayers. Again.
Here’s Paul
He’s 56
So he’s still a good 10 years away from retirement
He lives in Cobham, the Second most desirable town to live in the whole of Britain!
He apparently hasn’t been saving into a pension because of a scandal that happened - before he started his working life…🤔
2/
He’s 56
So he’s still a good 10 years away from retirement
He lives in Cobham, the Second most desirable town to live in the whole of Britain!
He apparently hasn’t been saving into a pension because of a scandal that happened - before he started his working life…🤔
2/
November 29, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Thoughts and prayers. Again.
Reposted by Phil M
What do these corporations have in common?
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
November 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
What do these corporations have in common?
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
Netflix
Ford
Tesla
T-Mobile
Duke Energy
DISH Network
Metlife
Dominion Energy
United States Steel
In recent years, they all paid their execs more than they paid in taxes.
This is what a corporate-rigged system looks like.
Pls send thoughts and prayers.
November 29, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Pls send thoughts and prayers.
Reposted by Phil M
8,000 illegal waste sites
13 million tons of rubbish
No controls on waste dumped sometimes near rivers + in floodplains
Burning of waste
Little or no policing
How criminal dumping of waste became the 'new narcotics'
Our latest article, out now:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
13 million tons of rubbish
No controls on waste dumped sometimes near rivers + in floodplains
Burning of waste
Little or no policing
How criminal dumping of waste became the 'new narcotics'
Our latest article, out now:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
At least 8,000 illegal waste sites in UK, research suggests
Exclusive: Concerns over impact on health and environment, as well as £1.63bn in avoided landfill tax
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:41 AM
8,000 illegal waste sites
13 million tons of rubbish
No controls on waste dumped sometimes near rivers + in floodplains
Burning of waste
Little or no policing
How criminal dumping of waste became the 'new narcotics'
Our latest article, out now:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
13 million tons of rubbish
No controls on waste dumped sometimes near rivers + in floodplains
Burning of waste
Little or no policing
How criminal dumping of waste became the 'new narcotics'
Our latest article, out now:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Phil M
In Europe, a division is emerging: the south and south east grow drier, including parts of the UK. Meanwhile, the North and North East, including parts of the UK, are growing wetter:
2/6
2/6
November 29, 2025 at 7:18 AM
In Europe, a division is emerging: the south and south east grow drier, including parts of the UK. Meanwhile, the North and North East, including parts of the UK, are growing wetter:
2/6
2/6
Reposted by Phil M
Water reserves drying up in face of climate change.
Our latest article, out now:
share.google/0eyMBdzbmWkA...
🧵
1/6
Our latest article, out now:
share.google/0eyMBdzbmWkA...
🧵
1/6
Revealed: Europe’s water reserves drying up due to climate breakdown
Exclusive: UCL scientists find large swathes of southern Europe are drying up, with ‘far-reaching’ implications
share.google
November 29, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Water reserves drying up in face of climate change.
Our latest article, out now:
share.google/0eyMBdzbmWkA...
🧵
1/6
Our latest article, out now:
share.google/0eyMBdzbmWkA...
🧵
1/6
Reposted by Phil M
“Ich bin ein Clactoner”
November 28, 2025 at 5:53 PM
“Ich bin ein Clactoner”
Reposted by Phil M
American homicide victims are mostly men, except when the killer is an intimate partner—
Almost 20,000 Americans were murdered in 2023.
The chart shows the homicide rates among male and female victims. Men were 2.7 times more likely to die by homicide than women.
Almost 20,000 Americans were murdered in 2023.
The chart shows the homicide rates among male and female victims. Men were 2.7 times more likely to die by homicide than women.
November 29, 2025 at 10:53 AM
American homicide victims are mostly men, except when the killer is an intimate partner—
Almost 20,000 Americans were murdered in 2023.
The chart shows the homicide rates among male and female victims. Men were 2.7 times more likely to die by homicide than women.
Almost 20,000 Americans were murdered in 2023.
The chart shows the homicide rates among male and female victims. Men were 2.7 times more likely to die by homicide than women.
Reposted by Phil M
There could well be mass arrests in the centre of Bristol today as a protest in support of controversially proscribed 'terrorist' group Palestine Action takes place.
Here's the full story:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Here's the full story:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Mass arrests likely at Bristol protest today
Police have warned protesters they will be committing a terrorism offence for holding up illegal signs
www.bristolpost.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 10:54 AM
There could well be mass arrests in the centre of Bristol today as a protest in support of controversially proscribed 'terrorist' group Palestine Action takes place.
Here's the full story:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Here's the full story:
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
Reposted by Phil M
"Chicken or pasta and no there is no chicken left"
November 29, 2025 at 9:09 AM
"Chicken or pasta and no there is no chicken left"
Reposted by Phil M
I’m only realising now that HK fire is about 15 times the size of Grenfell (120 apts v 1,900 apts), it’s very fortunate this didn’t happen at night
November 29, 2025 at 10:51 AM
I’m only realising now that HK fire is about 15 times the size of Grenfell (120 apts v 1,900 apts), it’s very fortunate this didn’t happen at night
Reposted by Phil M
This article provides more data showing how easy it is to manipulate humans on social media.
These researchers rerouted the algorithm on Twitter to push some users toward “antidemocratic attitudes and partisan animosity”.
It only took 1 week to elicit changes that used to take 3 years.
These researchers rerouted the algorithm on Twitter to push some users toward “antidemocratic attitudes and partisan animosity”.
It only took 1 week to elicit changes that used to take 3 years.
Reranking partisan animosity in algorithmic social media feeds alters affective polarization
Today, social media platforms hold the sole power to study the effects of feed-ranking algorithms. We developed a platform-independent method that reranks participants’ feeds in real time and used thi...
www.science.org
November 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
This article provides more data showing how easy it is to manipulate humans on social media.
These researchers rerouted the algorithm on Twitter to push some users toward “antidemocratic attitudes and partisan animosity”.
It only took 1 week to elicit changes that used to take 3 years.
These researchers rerouted the algorithm on Twitter to push some users toward “antidemocratic attitudes and partisan animosity”.
It only took 1 week to elicit changes that used to take 3 years.
Heart-warming 🥰
Flashmob in Paris yesterday used the old traditionnal Ukrainian song "Shchedryk", spread all over the world as the popular Christmas tune, "Carol of the Bells". Mykola Leontovych🇺🇦composed the arrangement used in all versions. He was killed by an Bolshevik agent in 1921.
#Ukraine
#Ukraine
November 29, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Heart-warming 🥰
Please pray for the starving landlords and their multiple homes 🙏
November 29, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Please pray for the starving landlords and their multiple homes 🙏