Barn fire confirmed as arson attack
Police have admitted that a blaze at a barn in Sandridge, which was responsible for 70 bales of straw being destroyed, had been started deliberately and they are now calling for anyone with information to come forward.
The fire began on Saturday afternoon between 1430 and 1500 at Pound Farm in Sandridge High, Street Hertfordshire.
Fire crews from St Albans and Wheathampstead were called to put out the large bales of straw which had been set alight, but they had to return the next day until the situation was fully under control.
The flames were left to burn themselves out but adjacent fields were damped down to prevent spreading.
An investigation is currently underway into the barn fire and police are looking for witnesses to come forward to help them with enquiries.
It was also revealed that this was not the first occasion the farm was attacked by arsonists, with a similar incident happening in 2007 to 200 bales of hay, although on that occasion horses in the stables nearby required rescuing.
The area has become quite a target for arsonists during this summer. Along with this blaze, there were also a number of other reported haystack fires in Shenley and Radlett.
Devizes pub fire leaves firefighter injured
It has been reported that a firefighter was taken to hospital for treatment following a large fire in a Wiltshire pub late on Saturday night.
Fire crews were called to the Black Horse in Bath Road, Devizes at around 10:30pm where the blaze, which started in the upper level of the building, had now spread to the roof.
A passer-by had alerted the landlord to the smoke bellowing from the roof and the pub had to be evacuated.
Seven appliances from the Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were required to tackle the fire, where additional water was needed from the Kennet and Avon canal.
The firefighter who was injured when attempting to put out the blaze and stop the flames from reaching homes in the vicinity was sent to the Great Western Hospital as a precautionary measure.
The fire crews drew praise from station manager Ade Hurren for their actions. He said:
“I was very impressed with the efforts of the initial crews as they fought to contain a seriously developing fire.”
An electrical fault is said to have been the cause of the fire, although the Fire Investigation team has attended the scene to carry out an assessment. The fire is being treated as accidental.
Fire alarm systems to comply with current legislation
Every business needs to consider fire safety. This is a requirement by law and it is not only necessary carry out a Fire Risk Assessment on your company premises, but also to ensure that your fire safety equipment is in full working order and up to date in order to comply with the current regulations.
From conventional to wireless alarms and remote monitoring, these kinds of systems are important in detecting the presence of fire if an unfortunate incident was to occur in your building. As someone who is responsible for the organisation, you need to understand that this is a key component of fire safety.
You will find that there are a number of fire alarm systems available on the market so you may wish to speak to the fire safety specialists in deciding which would be most suitable for your business premises and that best meets your requirements.
When you have identified the right fire alarm solution, whether this is an entry level model or highly complex system, you can then make a purchase and arrange for it to be installed.
If you are looking for help with your fire safety compliance, you should get in touch with a BAFE approved company that will be able to assist you.
Yorkshire fire hydrant thefts causing concern for fire service
The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have warned of the dangers over low fire hydrant levels as firms continue to steal water from this source.
By illegally siphoning off water for use in cleaning windows, sweeping the roads or drain jetting, these workers are putting people’s lives at risk.
Yorkshire Water has reported that millions of litres of water had been tapped into during July, which was higher than ever.
This crime of taking water supplies from these hydrants has been condemned by the fire service as this makes it much harder to respond to emergency situations.
Ian Bitcon, of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“Our front-line appliances carry adequate water to deal with the early stages of fire, and to extinguish most fires, but we rely on hydrants to support our work.
“Anyone interfering with or vandalising a hydrant is putting lives directly at risk.”
Yorkshire Water admits that the situation has been made worse due to the dry weather experienced in the UK this summer in addition to harsh business trading conditions which has seen the crime become much more widespread.
Yorkshire Water’s Melanie Dawson said:
“We want [the thieves] to know their actions can have extremely serious consequences.
“Not only do they risk damaging fire hydrants, and consequently endangering human lives, but their actions can also lead to water discolouration or even temporary loss of supply, which at its worse can affect thousands of people.”
Boy arrested in connection with school fire
It has been reported that an 11-year-old buy has been arrested on suspicion of arson following a fire on the roof of a Wolverhampton primary school.
After reports of a disturbance at Elston Hall Primary School on Stafford Road at around 8:10pm on Monday night, the police were called to investigate the scene.
Upon arrival, the West Midlands Police noticed that the school roof was alight and that the blaze was quickly spreading.
It took eight fire crews to tackle the flames and bring the situation under control. By 11:00pm the firefighters had stopped the fire from spreading.
A spokesman for the West Midlands Fire Service said:
“It was a rapidly developing fire when we first arrived and the fast intervention of the initial crews, with breathing apparatus and main jets, held the fire in check and prevented it from spreading.
“Building work should be able to put this right in time for school children to return in about three weeks’ time.
“It was very professional and a job well done by the fire crews across the Black Country.”
There were no reported injuries following this incident.
The fire damaged building is still expected to be repaired on time for the start of the new school term in September.