Shell UK admits health and safety breaches after Norfolk gas explosion
Shell UK has pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches which lead to an explosion in 2008 at the Bacton Gas Terminal in Norfolk. The Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive brought the joint prosecution.
The company admitted to breaching 2 Health and Safety Regulations and 5 areas of environmental legislation. No one was injured in the accident.
The company will be sentenced on 16th June at Norfolk Crown Court.
70 firefighters battle warehouse inferno
More than 70 firefighters from stations across West Yorkshire battled what is thought to be one of the biggest fires ever seen in Huddersfield.
The fire broke out at Oxfam’s Wastesaver site at around 6pm on Saturday and firefighters took 8 hours to get the fire under control but the Beck Road building was destroyed.
The company takes in old clothing donated from across the UK and recycles it. More than 70 people work at the site and there are fears that many will now lose their jobs.
A thick, black cloud of smoke could be seen above the town for miles. Police were forced to close many of the roads in the area which caused chaos for residents and traffic. Locals were advised to stay in their homes with windows and doors closed.
Gareth Franks who is the store manager at a nearby shop said: “some of the staff were in our warehouse when there was an enormous bang. The whole building shook and the doors buckled as if something had hit them. Fire and police officers came over and asked us to evacuate, so we got the shoppers and staff out”.
The fire is thought to have been started by gas cylinders that are used in forklift trucks.
Tumble dryer fire at Staffordshire pub
A fire broke out on the morning of the Royal Wedding at an award-winning Staffordshire pub.
The Stafford Arms, which dates back to the 16th century, had its kitchen and toilet facilities destroyed in the blaze.
Despite the serious damage, the bar managed to open, temporary Portaloos were set up in the car park and a royal wedding party took place as planned.
Gary Heath, pub manager, said: “The kitchen was gutted beyond recognition and the toilets were smoke damaged. By the time the firefighters were here it was well ablaze. We now have temporary toilets and we are hoping to get a portable kitchen and we could be open for food as normal soon. We will know more when the assessors have been on Tuesday as to how long it will take to rebuild. I’m hoping within one or two weeks we will be producing the usual menu. We managed to move the bar outside with everybody rallying around. The neighbours have been brilliant for us. We are still operating despite everything that happened. We’re doing our best to get the full service resumed as quickly as possible”
Three fire engines attended the blaze. Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the kitchen at the rear of the building.
The fire is thought to have started in a tumble dryer in the kitchen when some dishcloths overheated and in just 20 minutes, the kitchen of the pub had been destroyed.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has reminded people not to leave tumble dryers unsupervised while they are switched on.
2nd fire at North Sheilds recycling centre
A serious fire broke out at a recycling centre in North Shields last week. It is the second fire at the site in 5 weeks.
The fire broke out at around 2pm at the North Tyneside Council waste transfer station and was attended by 8 fire engines and over 30 firefighters. Crews from Wallsend, Byker, Gosforth, Low Fell, Hebburn, West Denton, Rye Hill and North Shields community fire stations, all attended the scene.
A nearby road had to be closed as smoke drifted from the roof of the building towards the Tyne Tunnel as firefighters battled the blaze.
Chris Rooney who was travelling home at the time of the fire said: “We were driving along the A19 and the fire was already blowing smoke onto the road. By the time we got to the roundabout by the plant all the fire crews were already set up.”
An investigation into the cause of the fire is being carried out.
Arson suspected in Gloucester fire
A fire which broke out in a derelict building in Gloucester on Saturday is thought to be arson.
The blaze, which broke out at around 1.30pm on Saturday, led to one of Gloucester’s busiest streets being closed off for the afternoon causing chaos for local businesses.
Local landlord Mark Summerell said: “We saw smoke coming out of the building so called the fire service. It took a while to get the building inspector here. If he’d been away for the bank holiday it could have cost us a few more quid. I don’t understand why they just can’t flatten the building anyway. It’s coming down one day either way.”
Firefighters were initially concerned that the building might collapse and was cordoned off for several hours. The building was declared safe by structural engineers from Gloucester City Council and the area was reopened at around 4.30pm.
Inspector Simon Todd from Gloucestershire Police has confirmed that they area treating the fire as arson.