Inferno at historic Norfolk watermill
50 Norfolk firefighters attended a huge fire at a watermill on 1st July.
The fire broke out at Eade’s Mill near Great Witchingham and Whitwell at around 1.30pm.
At the scene, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service group manager Richard Herrell praised crews for their swift action. He said: “I’m not just saying this because they are our lads, but they did a magnificent job in very difficult circumstances. When you get a fire of this severity in a property such as this, you need a very high degree of skill to stop it spreading very, very quickly. What they have done is avoided the total loss of the structure.”
Fire service watch manager David Peacock said: “It was a very difficult fire to fight because of the traditional structure and because it has got a lot of hidden voids. It could have taken the whole of the house; it could have taken the adjoining properties. I would say the majority of the building has been saved from major fire damage. Because of its rural location, the Dereham and Earlham crews had an awful lot to do to contain it. They had to work really hard to fight, and to contain, it before we could get in further resources.”
One person was treated at the scene for the effects of smoke inhalation. An investigation into the cause of the fire is now underway.
Huge fire rips through Swindon scrapyard
Around 40 firefighters attended a huge fire at a scrapyard near Royal Wootton Bassett last week.
The fire broke out at Swindon Metal Solutions Ltd, in Thornhill on 5th July and raged for several hours.
Crews from Westlea, Swindon, Marlborough, Crickdale, Calne, Devizes, Stratton and Malmesbury attended the scene with additional support from water carriers from Royal Wootton Bassett and Ramsbury, an incident command vehicle from Stratton and an aerial appliance from Swindon.
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service have been dealing with a large fire at a scrapyard near Broad Town. Firefighters were called to Swindon Metal Solutions at 3.03pm and found a large quantity of scrap cars well alight. The fire has caused a significant plume of black smoke.”
Sara Dean, who was driving home at the time of the incident said: “I have driven down from past Cricklade and I could see it from there. It is a huge fire and I am hoping there are no gas canisters or petrol tanks that can go up and make it worse than it already is. From here you can see the flames and can hear the odd bang and crackle.”
Eye witness, Idris Lapham said: “The fire started a few hours ago, and the fire crews came quite quickly. It started small but has grown. I have never seen anything like this around here. We have not been told of any danger to us, they are just not letting anyone past this road at the moment. We have not been told of the cause but I think they may have been welding down there.”
It is not yet known how the fire started and an investigation will be carried out.
Arson suspected at Shropshire Church building
Arson is suspected after a fire broke out at Nicholas Church Parish Rooms, in Newport, at around 2.30am on 24th June.
The arsonists broke into the building and set fire to books which caused damage to the committee room, kitchen and the roof.
Chris Ammonds, from West Mercia Police said: “Our investigations are still on-going. We have collected a number of items and sent them away for forensic testing. We are now waiting for the results of those tests and for the results from our media appeal. Anyone with any information is urged to contact us as a matter of urgency.”
Denise Wakefield, spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, added: “Extensive damage was caused to the building, including the roof space. Many items were completely destroyed, although exactly what was damaged has not yet been established. It appears that access had been gained to the rear of the premises and a fire had been started in a small storage room. Police are treating the incident as arson and we would appeal to anyone who has any information in relation to the fire to come forward.”
Nursery equipment destroyed in arson attack
A fire which broke out at a school in Cheltenham is thought to have been started deliberately.
The fire at Dunalley Primary School broke out on 22nd June at around 8.00pm and destroyed much of the outdoor play equipment used by the Ducklings nursery. Three sheds were also destroyed in the blaze.
Headteacher Judith Price said: “I came in on Saturday morning to look at the damage in daylight and it was just devastating. It’s upsetting for the children. I have had to tell them what has happened. Everyone is so good at looking after our school. It’s got a lovely environment. It’s so well looked after by the school community and neighbours. It’s fortunate our neighbours were alert because a few more minutes and it could have had a devastating effect. Five more minutes and it would have caught hold of the school – that’s what the fire officers said. Some of the plastic guttering used to harvest rain water on the side of the school has melted.”
Many bikes, trikes, play mats, toy cars and dressing up clothes were destroyed in the fire.
Ms Price added: “Everything that they use to play with outside has gone up in smoke.”
One parent said: “I’m absolutely livid about it. To think the vandals have burned all these kids’ toys and play equipment is a disgrace. They are all very upset about it.”
Chris Jackson from Gloucestershire police confirmed that the incident is being treated as arson. He added: “We need to establish the circumstances in which the fire started and would appeal to anyone who saw suspicious activity on the night to call us. No matter how insignificant you think it may be, please let us know so we can judge.”
Fire breaks out at Cornwall care home
A large fire has severely damaged a residential home for the elderly in Cornwall.
The fire started in a utility room at the home at around 3.30pm on 16th June.
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident at the building on Barbican Road, Looe and spent around 2 hours bringing the flames under control before it spread to other areas of the home.
There were no injuries reported and initial findings show that the cause was accidental.
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