Investigation begins into nuclear weapons factory fire
A probe is now underway following a fire which broke out in one of the buildings at a nuclear weapons factory in Aldermaston, Berkshire on Tuesday.
Due to the nature of the blaze at the Atomic Weapons Establishment site, which required six appliances to combat it, local residents had to be evacuated from their homes. However, the authorities were quick to reassure the public that the fire was confined to a non-nuclear explosives area.
An AWE spokesperson said:
“At around 9pm on Tuesday 3 August, a fire broke out in a building within the conventional non-nuclear explosives area of AWE Aldermaston.
“AWE’s fire and rescue service were quickly on the scene and were supported by Royal Berkshire fire fighters. One member of AWE staff received minor injuries in the incident and was treated… on the site.
“As a precautionary measure, a 600 metre cordon was set up around the building and a small number of local residents were evacuated overnight from their homes in the Red Lane area.
“A full investigation in the causes of the incident, which has no radiological implications, will be undertaken.”
The Thames Valley Police and the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service are now working together to establish the cause of the fire.
Ensuring fire safety measures are in place on construction sites
Those who work on construction sites and in similar environments will know only too well the dangers involved in this type of work. These kinds of working environments are dangerous due to a number of different reasons.
On construction sites you will find that many combustible materials are present which could easily catch fire at any time. The portable electric tools used by workers are types of equipment that needs to be handled very carefully.
Therefore, the risk of fire associated with construction sites is a lot higher than it would be with a typical office building for instance. In order to meet the need for effective forward planning and the level of training necessary in fire safety, a number of courses have been devised by industry professionals.
There is now a course which has been developed especially for those who work on construction sites. This training is suitable for any relevant personnel who are tasked with managing fire safety on a site to remain in accordance with the ‘Joint Code of Practice’ Fire Prevention on Construction Sites regulations.
If you send your employees on such a course, they can expect to be given training on things like emergency procedures and fire prevention so they can be deemed competent in fire safety.
Fire Warden Training – Southampton
Very informative, more people should go on this course for general awareness – Sarah Parke
Presentation material a great improvement on May 2009, training in basic fire awareness should be compulsory – Karen Logan
Highlighted several concerns with my workplace – Lynne Norris
Fire Warden Training – Exeter
Excellent mix of discussion & use of videos – Sarah Walls
Explained in great details, excellent tutor – Pamela Hodges
Police look to catch Aberdeen fire vandals
Grampian Police in Aberdeen have condemned vandals who set fire to the door of a property on Elphinstone Road Monday night.
The fire, which caused extensive damage to the university building in Old Aberdeen, began at around 8.30pm and fire crews were called to the scene.
The police investigating the incident are now appealing for witnesses or anyone who saw anything suspicious to come forward in relation to the arson attack.
PC Kenny Scott, who is on the Tillydrone Local Policing Team, said:
“This was senseless and dangerous act of willful fire-raising which could have endangered life. We are appealing to the local community to assist us with identifying the people responsible.”
Grampian Fire and Rescue Service eventually put out the dangerous blaze which had spread through the building but fortunately nobody was reported to have been hurt.
The cost of the damage to the property is not yet known.
This situation may have ended without anyone getting hurt but arson is becoming a more common occurrence in the UK so it is important to consider the fire alarm systems and prevention measures put in place in a property to protect its inhabitants. As well as this, training courses are available to train people in fire safety.