Huge blaze at Hampshire Tesco store
It has been recently reported that a large fire has destroyed a Tesco store in Waterlooville, Hampshire, with the flames so ferocious the roof collapsed in.
Local fire crews were called to the scene at the Tesco Express store on Wednesday evening and it took the 44 firefighters present over four hours to tackle and finally put out the fire.
There were a few hundred onlookers watching as the blaze tore through the store at the Westbrook Centre in Grassmere Way.
Fire safety training for managers
A fire such as this one can cause a lot of panic for those who are inside a building when there is a fire. In this instance there may not have been anyone present on the premises when the blaze took control but it is still important that staff, especially managers, are trained in how to deal with these kinds of situations.
Fire safety training courses from a top UK training provider will be able to ensure that your employees know how to take responsibility for fire safety in the workplace and when the general public is involved.
A Fire Safety Training For Managers course has been designed for this purpose and will train them as Fire Wardens to help tackle hazardous fire situations.
Norwich scouts staying positive despite suspicious fire
A blaze which destroyed a number of canoes and kayaks at a scout hut headquarters in Norfolk last Sunday afternoon is not stopping the scout leaders from continuing with their summer activity programme.
The fire which damaged the venture hut and groundsman’s hut at 16th Norwich Sea Scouts in Costessey is believed to have been started deliberately and firefighters are currently working with local police to determine the cause of the blaze.
Four fire engines from the Norfolk Fire Rescue Service were required to tackle the blaze and firefighters had to ensure that gas cylinders were removed from the building.
The chairman of the scout troop Andrew Irving said:
“It’s fairly extensive damage. We have lost our venture hut and our groundsman’s hut. More devastating is that we lost all our canoes.
“Fortunately it is just the outbuilding and the main headquarters building is useable and is unaffected by the fire itself.”
The scouts are now going ahead with their summer events including a barbecue fundraiser on the 24th of July. However, the scouts have still requested support from the local community in order to recover from the fire.
Mr Irving added:
“We can still offer canoeing activities through other groups in the area but it makes it a little bit more difficult.
“The important thing is to make sure the activities continue as best they can. What we really need is support from the local community, and we would need that whether we had had this unfortunate event or not.”
The scouts are hoping that money from the fundraiser and other donations will be able to help the group continue to function effectively and improve the current facilities.
Firefighter injured in blaze at Eyemouth golf club
It has been reported that a firefighter was hurt as he attempted to tackle a fire which started at Eyemouth Golf Club on Wednesday morning.
The firefighter, who has not been named, was airlifted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to be treated for leg injuries after part of the structure collapsed on him.
A Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue spokesperson said:
“At 5.30am, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service attended an incident at a golf club in Gunsgreen Hill in Eyemouth.
“The incident was a green keeper’s shed on fire with chemicals involved. Seven fire service vehicles attended from the local area and Edinburgh.
“During the course of fighting the fire, a firefighter has been injured when part of the building structure collapsed. The firefighter was attended to by the Scottish Ambulance Service before being taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by air ambulance.
“Details as to the extent of the firefighter’s injuries are unclear, but it is believed he has a broken leg.”
When fire crews arrived on the scene at the Scottish Borders golf club, the shed was already alight and with chemicals involved, the 35 firefighters were already dealing with a delicate situation. It took them around three hours to put out the flames.
The golf club fire is not being treated as suspicious, although an investigation is now underway into the blaze.
Maintenance man seriously injured in Ledley hospital fire
It has been reported that a maintenance worker was seriously injured as he carried out repair work at Ledbury Community Hospital on Tuesday.
Ambulance staff at the Herefordshire hospital confirmed that the worker was injured in the fire which was started by an aerosol canister.
The incident, which occurred at about 1130 BST, caused the man who is in his 60s to suffer major burns to his face and body. He was administered pain relief by hospital staff and was later flown to a Birmingham hospital by air ambulance.
These types of situations can happen anywhere, even in a place such as a hospital, so it is always prudent to ensure that staff are not just trained in first aid, but also in fire safety as well.
As hospitals and medical centres have their own fire safety issues to deal with, including having a varying number of people in the building at any time, it is necessary to account for all the people present. Therefore fire safety procedures and evacuation measures need to be put in place should a fire such as this occur on the hospital premises.
Staff training is necessary to ensure that they are well prepared for any of these kinds of occurrences and so it would be wise to consider an appropriate Fire Safety in Medical Centres and Hospitals course, which will cover all the pertinent areas of fire safety.
Mother of F1 star escapes from hotel blaze
Following on from our recent report on the Premier Inn hotel fire which happened on Monday, it has now been revealed that Formula One champion Jenson Button’s mother was among the guests to be evacuated following the blaze.
It has also been reported that two men have been arrested on suspicion of arson and have been questioned at nearby Weston Favell police station.
Simone Button was staying at the hotel, which is located close to Silverstone village and next to the Green Man Inn. She was staying there in preparation for her son’s participation in the British Grand Prix, which is due to take place this weekend. The Premier Inn is popular with F1 personnel because of its close proximity to the circuit.
Simone was evacuated along with other guests staying at the hotel and relocated to the Premier Inn at Harpole due to the blaze.
Speaking just after the incident, Dermot Bambridge, Chairman of South Northants Council, said:
“This is certainly the worst fire that we have had in the area. There was a fire sometime ago there but I think it was only in the kitchen.
“There are blue flashing lights outside as fire appliances come to Silverstone village to use the Fire Hydrants. I went up to see if there was anything I could do; the Premier Inn hotel was down to the first floor windows on the outside and was still burning. The Green Man itself appeared to be intact. Let’s just hope that everyone is safe.”
The fire was thought to have been started in plastic crates containing linen which were located just outside the hotel building.