Sheffield Ski Village: Fourth fire in a year breaks out
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said the service had received more than 120 calls about the latest blaze at Ski Village on Vale Road.
21 firefighters were at the scene, a spokesperson said a large wooden shed and outbuildings were alight.
The main building of the Ski Village was destroyed by fire on 29 April 2012.
That fire was ruled to be an accident but investigations showed two further fires on 1 May and 21 May were started deliberately.
Image courtesy of BBC news
Scottish zoo fire leaves animals and reptiles dead
Fire broke out at a Scottish zoo in the early hours of Sunday morning leaving reptiles, insects and an otter dead.
The alarm was raised at about 4am. Around 50 firefighters tackled the blaze at the reptile house of Five Sisters Zoo in Polbeth, West Lothian.
Lesley Coupar, from marketing and visitor services at the zoo, described the blaze as “the worst nightmare”.
“We’re in the business of rescuing animals, giving a safe haven to animals,” she said. “To look now at the shell of the reptile house and everything gone from there, it’s just the worst tragedy ever. The owners are obviously distraught, as are we all. We’re all animal lovers.
Full details of the animals affected will not be available until it is safe for zoo staff to access affected areas. Apart from the otter, the animals that died were in the reptile house.
An investigation into the cause of the fire will be launched.
A5 closes after lorry catches fire
The drama unfolded shortly before noon yesterday when a blaze engulfed a lorry on the Woodcote Island, near Shrewsbury.
The A5 was closed in both directions for several hours as 20 firefighters and a fire officer from Shrewsbury tackled the blaze.
Shropshire Fire and Rescue said it had taken three crews and other units about two and a half hours to deal with.
One eyewitness said: “The lorry cab was completely gutted and firefighters also had to douse a hedge with water to put out the flames.
There were also heavy delays southbound.
The road was fully reopened by 8pm after the burnt out lorry had been removed.
Major fire at Glasgow Steiner School in Yorkhill
A major fire at an independent school in the west end of Glasgow broke out last week and up to 60 children were led to safety.
55 firefighters and 10 appliances were deployed to prevent the fire spreading and Incident Commander, ACO Lewis Ramsay said: “The initial crews have worked tirelessly to tackle the blaze and operations are ongoing to contain the fire.
“Members of the local community can be assured that fire crews will continue to work relentlessly until this incident is brought to a safe conclusion.
“An effective multi-agency approach with police and the local authority is ongoing to manage the incident and reassure local residents.”
Following the evacuation, pupils were taken to a local community centre. No-one is thought to have been injured.
A joint investigation by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and Strathclyde Police will determine the cause of the blaze that is not yet known.
Selby fire crews receive river rescue boat
A £50,000 river rescue boat has finally been received by fire crews in Selby.
Crew training has been continuing at Nottingham’s Home Pierrepoint National Watersports Centre ahead of the boat’s arrival. This was delayed after the original craft was found to be too small to be used in tidal rivers.
The boat was intended as a national asset which could be called into action around the country in times of emergency and both Red and Blue Watches at Selby Fire Station each have four members trained as coxswains.
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