1000 tonnes of straw on fire in Norfolk village barn
Firefighters were called to a huge blaze at a barn in a West Norfolk village on 9th November.
It is reported that a 1,000-tonne straw stack was on fire when crews arrived on the scene.
The blaze in Oxborough near Swaffham and Downham Market was reported at 10pm. Fire crews from Swaffham and Methwold attended the incident.
A spokesperson for the fire service said that the fire did not pose an immediate risk to the public and would be left to burn in a controlled manner with fire crews remaining on site throughout.
She said crews had made contact with the farmer who owned the land and were waiting for him to arrive at the scene.
There were no casualties reported in the incident and the cause of the fire is currently unknown.
Fire at Essex timber yard
A fire broke out at a timber yard in Essex on the evening of 6th November. Around 40 residents were forced to evacuate as smoke and flames spread.
The incident happened at around 6pm at Grays Wood Products on Stanley Road in Grays. 50 firefighters from across the region attended the blaze.
A cordon was put in place around the yard while crews battled the intense fire.
Divisional officer Greg Keys said: “Crews faced a real inferno when they arrived at the scene. The corner plot where the shop and yard stood was radiating heat and smoke with the contents of the yard fueled by a whole range of flammable liquids you would expect to find in a timber yard. Fire fighters say the building could collapse at any time. The first priority was to evacuate families as there was every possibility that the blaze was going to spread right through the terrace. While that was going on, the first crews went straight in to the immense heat and smoke to do what they could to save the property and prevent spread. There was nothing that could be done to protect the timber yard and shop but they worked hard to ensure the blaze did not spread beyond the first, adjoining terraced house. The fire is now coming under control and we have ordered a four pump relief with an aerial ladder and expect to be on site through the night. It is unlikely that the families will be able to return to their homes this evening as the houses have no power.”
Crews remained on the scene for almost 12 hours ensuring the flames were properly extinguished. There were no casualties reported in the incident. It was reported that arson was initially suspected but this was later denied.
Divisional Officer, Vernon Kendall said: “The site was completely secure and there was no sign of a break in. On that basis police scenes of crime were not needed at the site.”
Arson suspected at Hampshire school
A school in Hampshire was evacuated on 7th November after a fire broke out in the roof.
Fire crews attended the incident at Clere Secondary School in Burghclere at around 2pm when a blaze was reported to have broken out in the roof of the sports hall.
Around 700 pupils were evacuated from the school. Access to the roof was hampered by solar panels. It was quickly decided that crews would use compressed air foam to fight the fire internally.
A structural engineer from Basingstoke & Deane Council attended the incident as fears grew that the roof may collapse. It is thought that around a fifth of the roof was damaged in the fire.
Senior fire officer Dave Graham said: “The school was brilliant at evacuating the children in good time and crews worked hard under challenging conditions, hindered by the solar panels, to keep the fire from entering the sports hall and stop what could have been 100 per cent damage to the property.”
Amanda Keable from the school said she at first thought that the smoke was coming from a nearby bonfire but soon realised it was a blaze on the school premises. Ms Keable said: “The children were fantastic in evacuating the building and crew have been brilliant in keeping us updated and working hard in hot conditions.”
Detectives investigating the cause of the fire have recently arrested four teenagers, and have charged a 15-year-old, from Newbury, with arson with intent. The suspect is due to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court.
Two 14-year-old boys have been released on bail until December 24, pending further enquiries. A 15-year-old girl was also arrested in connection with the incident but was later released.
Residents rescued from flats – arson suspected
Ten people had to be rescued from a block of flats in Scotland on 4th November after a fire broke out at around 3.30am. The people were trapped on the upper floors of the building and could not escape due to the intense flames and smoke.
No-one was injured in the incident but two of the residents were treated for smoke inhalation.
Strathclyde Police has launched an investigation with the fire service to find out what caused the blaze. It is thought that the fire was started deliberately.
Detective Inspector John Shaw of East Kilbride CID said: “This was a terrifying experience for the occupants of the flats, and made even worse by the fact that early investigations have told us that the fire was started deliberately by an unknown person or persons. Thankfully, no one was injured in this incident; however, if it was not for the swift action of the occupants and the emergency services then we may have been dealing with serious injuries or even fatalities.”
Fire at Great Yarmouth charity shop
Fifteen people were evacuated from their homes in the early hours of 30th October after a fire broke out at the St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop in Great Yarmouth.
The alarm was raised by Emma Trudgill who lives near to the shop. Miss Trudgill said: “We checked around the flat to see everything was all right and then Zachary went downstairs. He looked outside and saw smoke and when he touched the glass window of the St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop he realised it was hot. We called 999 and also began alerting other neighbours.”
Three fire crews attended the incident on King Street at around 3.45am and initially feared that people may be inside the property. Thankfully all people nearby were accounted for and the fire was extinguished within the hour.
Alison Lanchester, director of income generation at the Ipswich-based hospice, said: “It sounds as if the fire has been very extensive. It is one of our recently opened shops and our manager is quite upset. It is a shame as it is all donated stock and the shop trades very well.”