Gloucestershire fire service smoke alarm warning
Gloucestershire Fire Service are asking households to check that their smoke alarms are fitted in the correct place.
It is thought that there were around 3000 incidents last year where the smoke alarm was not triggered in a fire. Statistics have shown that the biggest reason why a smoke alarm will not sound in the event of a fire is because smoke did not reach the alarm in order to set it off.
Geoff Sallis, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, said: “The vast majority of us now have at least one smoke alarm in our homes. However, early detection and warning is vital to seriously reduce the devastation a fire can cause. You should make sure you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home, preferably in hallways and landings. Placing smoke detectors in rooms where there are electrical appliances could give you the extra warning you need.”
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service have advised households to have a fire alarm on each level, on the ceiling in the middle of a room or hallway. People should also make sure they test their alarms regularly.
13 die in Turkish prison fire
Thirteen prisoners have died in a fire at a Turkish prison which broke out on the evening of 16th June. It has been reported that the fire was started deliberately by inmates during a dispute.
Five prisoners were taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters took nearly 2 hours to bring the blaze under control whilst security personnel attempted to restore order at the prison.
Celalettin Guvenc, Sanliurfa governor said: “Why weren’t (the firefighters) there on time, what caused the fighting, why were these people killed? All of these will be investigated.”
Police Officers blocked road access to the jail and it has been reported that they used pepper spray to disperse the angry crowds which had begun to gather outside the prison.
An investigation into the cause of the fire has been launched. The investigation will also look at the time it took authorities and emergency services to respond to the fire.
Fire leaves family of 8 homeless
Firefighters have warned people to ensure they are safe in their homes after a fire left a family of 8 homeless.
Firefighters attended a fire at a three storey terraced house in West Street, Harwich, at around 5.30pm on Tuesday 5th June. The fire is thought to have started in a second floor bedroom.
It is the second fire to break out in six months on the street, and the third in the area since December.
Martin Avent, community safety officer said: “Fires like this show how even the smallest fire in the home can cause devastation. In this case eight people were unable to return to their home as a result of the fire. Every home should have at least one working smoking alarm on every floor, they are the most important early warning system a house can have alerting all occupants that something is wrong the minute a fire breaks out, giving everyone time to escape before calling us in to deal with the incident.”
Asda store fined over £55,000 for breaching fire safety regulations
Asda Stores Limited has been fined over £55,000 after being found guilty of fire safety breaches at a store in Berkshire.
The Company appeared at Reading Crown Court on 6th June, pleading guilty to two charges under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RBFA) discovered the breaches following an inspection of the Asda store in Cippenham, near Slough on 24th June 2010. The breaches presented a serious risk to staff and customers.
William Clegg QC, told the court that the inspection showed several breaches including fire exits chained and locked shut, blocked fire escapes, fire exit doors wedged open and combustible items blocking escape routes. The company had previously been served with a caution for contravening fire safety regulations. Judge Grainger fined the company £20,000 for each offence, with full costs totaling £15,647.
David Walden, the Authority’s fire-safety legal support manager, said: “This was a clear case of a major retailing company failing to comply with fire-safety regulations and, by doing so, placing people at serious risk. It also provides further evidence that some businesses continue to treat compliance with fire-safety legislation as an option – it is not. Staff and customers are entitled to feel safe when working at, or visiting, a supermarket, or any other business. We will continue with our efforts to ensure that any business owner, or manager who refuses to take these obligations seriously will be brought before the courts.”
Hotel boss pleads guilty to fire safety breaches
A hotel boss in Salford has admitted breaching fire safety regulations, putting the lives of guests in danger.
Sultan Chaudhry who runs The White Lodge Hotel, was found guilty of ten offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 when he appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 4th April.
The breaches were discovered by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s fire safety officers when they visited the hotel after a fire broke out on April 13, 2011.
The fire broke out in the lobby of the hotel at around 4am. Firefighters were told by the manager that all 13 residents had evacuated the building. It was later discovered that actually, one guest still remained inside.
When fire safety officers attended later that day they issued Prohibition Notice preventing anyone staying in the hotel due to the complete lack of fire safety precautions.
Officers found that the fire alarms were faulty and had not been set up correctly, fire extinguishers were empty, escape routes were inadequate and there was inadequate emergency lighting.
A suitable fire risk assessment had not been carried out and staff at the hotel had not been trained in fire safety procedures.
Peter O’Reilly from GMFRS’ said: “Mr Chaudhry was running a hotel business and guests at the hotel are entitled to be safe. Fortunately, when the fire occurred nobody was injured, thanks to the professionalism of our crews who attended. “This could have been a very serious incident. It is unacceptable for a hotel business not to have proper procedures in place and put lives at risk. Members of the public using this hotel were placed in danger by Mr Chaudhry’s failings. Anyone running a business has a responsibility to comply with the law.”