Arsonists warned they will be prosecuted by fire service
Fire chiefs from the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have pledged to prosecute any offenders that are found to have started fires in the area deliberately.
A recent prosecution when a man from Paignton, Paul MacLean, 33, was given a one year jail sentence, has led to the renewed warning from the fire service. Mr MacLean admitted he had started the blaze at his mother’s flat on purpose due to amassing gambling debts.
The clampdown on arsonists comes as Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service looks to get tough with those who put people’s lives in danger.
Watch Manager and community safety co-ordinator, Pat Tyler, said:
“Arson is a serious crime which doesn’t only damage property.
“These fires often get completely out of control and members of the public and firefighters have been seriously injured or even killed as a result of arsonists.”
He also explained that the fire service investigates every incident as part of its fire safety policy. He said:
“Our specialist Fire Investigation Officers are well trained and work diligently with the police to examine the cause of fires and we will endeavour to prosecute anyone who commits arson.
“Last week’s sentence at Exeter Crown Court should act as a reminder to everyone that this type of behaviour is not acceptable and those found guilty of arson will be punished.
“It is a good example of fire and police officers working closely together to prosecute those who break the law and endanger lives.”
An email address has been set up by the fire service to receive information about any suspected deliberate fires.
Littleport tyre company denies breach of regulations
A tyre firm in Cambridgeshire charged with failing to uphold the Environmental Protection Act due to a huge blaze which broke out on its premises in August last year has denied the accusation against it.
The fire at Murfitt Industries, off Wisbech Road near Littleport, began on the 21st of August 2009 and lasted until October of the same year due to the fact that over 2,000 tonnes of rubber were involved on 21 August, and burnt until October.
The company has attended Ely Magistrates’ Court to deny they had treated, kept or disposed of controlled waste in a way that was likely to result in pollution or a risk to the health of humans.
The case of Murfitt Industries will be considered by Cambridge Crown Court at a date yet to be decided.
No matter what the outcome of the courts is in this situation it is imperative that all businesses comply with current regulations over fire safety and the use of materials in a factory environment needs to be especially monitored to prevent fires such as this one.
Fire safety training courses are now available, so be sure to consider sending your staff on an appropriate course where they will be educated as to how to implement the right fire safety precautions on the premises.
Cornwall fire service counts cost of false alarms
It has been reported that automatic heat and smoke detectors are proving to be extremely costly to Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, with false alarms racking up almost £500,000 every year.
The fire brigade has confirmed it took action to around a thousand call outs last year which were caused by fumes from cooking or fire doors not properly closed and the resultant triggering of fire alarms.
In one particular case at University College Falmouth halls of residence, automatic detectors were set off 35 times in just two years.
With every call out due to a false alarm setting the fire service back about £500, it is no wonder then that campaigns have been launched to reduce the volume of these instances, which are around a third of every call out.
Justin Ashburn, Falmouth watch manager, spoke to BBC News about the problems the service faced due to these false alarms. He said:
“Logistically it can be a problem because it could be potentially taking us away from a genuine incident.
“However, when the call comes in, we do have to treat it as an emergency.”
As a public service, the fire brigade incurs costs for these call outs in terms of the use of the appliances, fuel expenditure as well as the manpower and security considerations.
Berkshire school fails inspection over fire safety
An Ofsted report has labelled an Arborfield primary school as inadequate in a recent inspection, with a number of measures highlighted as needing to improve in order to ensure the safety of its pupils.
The inspection was carried out back in July at Coombes CE Primary School in School Road and results have now been published where it has been marked down for its overall effectiveness.
The Ofsted report said:
“The school has not been rigorous in its approach to a range of matters relating to pupils’ health and safety, including monitoring of fire safety, first aid, and the preparation of risk assessments. As a result, care, guidance and support and governance are inadequate.”
Concerns over health and safety are therefore at the top of the agenda, with staff promising that improvements are now underway.
Acting headteacher for the school, Patrick Pritchett, said:
“We are naturally very disappointed but staff, governors and students are determined to work collectively together to address the issues raised in the report.
“We have already tackled safeguarding issues and children, staff and parents returned to school this month prepared to positively embrace a number of new routines.
“With a fantastically motivated and positive team at the school, and children who love coming here, we aim to have met the requirements of the improvement notice by the summer.”
The outcome of this report by Ofsted shows that fire safety and risk assessment are important considerations if an educational establishment can be deemed to be safe. Therefore, it is necessary to put the right measures in place.
Arrest made over fire extinguisher incident at tuition fees riot
It has been confirmed that an arrest has now been made regarding the throwing of a fire extinguisher from the top of a building amidst the Millbank riot in London last week, with a university student called in for questioning.
The suspect, a 23-year-old male student from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, has been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder when a fire extinguisher was thrown in the direction of two territorial support group officers.
The empty metal fire extinguisher was flung from the top of Millbank Tower and only just missed the police officers.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “This arrest follows an investigation into public disorder where a fire extinguisher was thrown from the roof of Millbank Tower.”
An Anglia Ruskin University spokesman confirmed:
“We understand that one of our students was arrested earlier today in connection with the incident at Millbank Tower. We are co-operating fully with the police in their inquiries.”
The fire extinguisher incident was one of a number of public disorder offences carried out by demonstrators on the day, with 54 people aged 18 to 26 arrested. The protests began over the proposed increase in tuition fees for students going to university.