Independent fire safety expert in court for fire risk failings
A fire safety expert appeared in court yesterday in connection with a hotel fire in Cornwall in 2007 in which 3 people died. Firefighters claim that it was the worst British hotel fire that has been seen in the last 40 years.
Monica Hughes aged 86 and 80-year-old Joan Harper perished in the blaze, and Mrs Hughes son, 46 died when he tried to escape from the fire by jumping from a third floor window. 90 other residents managed to escape.
Martin Tricker who was an Independent Fire Safety expert has denied a charge of failing to carry out an adequate fire risk assessment at The Penhallow Hotel.
Mr Tricker attended Truro Crown Court with the owners of the hotel. The owners had previously admitted to health and safety breaches.
Tumble dryer fire at Staffordshire pub
A fire broke out on the morning of the Royal Wedding at an award-winning Staffordshire pub.
The Stafford Arms, which dates back to the 16th century, had its kitchen and toilet facilities destroyed in the blaze.
Despite the serious damage, the bar managed to open, temporary Portaloos were set up in the car park and a royal wedding party took place as planned.
Gary Heath, pub manager, said: “The kitchen was gutted beyond recognition and the toilets were smoke damaged. By the time the firefighters were here it was well ablaze. We now have temporary toilets and we are hoping to get a portable kitchen and we could be open for food as normal soon. We will know more when the assessors have been on Tuesday as to how long it will take to rebuild. I’m hoping within one or two weeks we will be producing the usual menu. We managed to move the bar outside with everybody rallying around. The neighbours have been brilliant for us. We are still operating despite everything that happened. We’re doing our best to get the full service resumed as quickly as possible”
Three fire engines attended the blaze. Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the kitchen at the rear of the building.
The fire is thought to have started in a tumble dryer in the kitchen when some dishcloths overheated and in just 20 minutes, the kitchen of the pub had been destroyed.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has reminded people not to leave tumble dryers unsupervised while they are switched on.
2nd fire at North Sheilds recycling centre
A serious fire broke out at a recycling centre in North Shields last week. It is the second fire at the site in 5 weeks.
The fire broke out at around 2pm at the North Tyneside Council waste transfer station and was attended by 8 fire engines and over 30 firefighters. Crews from Wallsend, Byker, Gosforth, Low Fell, Hebburn, West Denton, Rye Hill and North Shields community fire stations, all attended the scene.
A nearby road had to be closed as smoke drifted from the roof of the building towards the Tyne Tunnel as firefighters battled the blaze.
Chris Rooney who was travelling home at the time of the fire said: “We were driving along the A19 and the fire was already blowing smoke onto the road. By the time we got to the roundabout by the plant all the fire crews were already set up.”
An investigation into the cause of the fire is being carried out.
Arson suspected in Gloucester fire
A fire which broke out in a derelict building in Gloucester on Saturday is thought to be arson.
The blaze, which broke out at around 1.30pm on Saturday, led to one of Gloucester’s busiest streets being closed off for the afternoon causing chaos for local businesses.
Local landlord Mark Summerell said: “We saw smoke coming out of the building so called the fire service. It took a while to get the building inspector here. If he’d been away for the bank holiday it could have cost us a few more quid. I don’t understand why they just can’t flatten the building anyway. It’s coming down one day either way.”
Firefighters were initially concerned that the building might collapse and was cordoned off for several hours. The building was declared safe by structural engineers from Gloucester City Council and the area was reopened at around 4.30pm.
Inspector Simon Todd from Gloucestershire Police has confirmed that they area treating the fire as arson.
70 firefighters tackle fire at waterfront apartments
A luxury waterside property has been destroyed in a fire in a Devon village.
Over 70 firefighters from across South Devon tackled the fire from boats, neighbouring houses and cliff edges in an attempt to bring the fire under control.
Eight units from Salcombe, Kingsbridge and Modbury, Totnes, Dartmouth, Ivybridge and Plympton along with an incident command unit and support engine from Totnes all attended the incident which broke out at 7.30am on 24th April.
The property is divided into 3 apartments and one is used as a holiday rental and was being used by 2 families with 6 children at the time of the fire. All residents escaped the fire unhurt.
Paul Chambers from the fire service said: “Access to the property was very difficult. It is right on the edge of the water and people next door are having some building work done so we had restricted access because of the scaffolding. The weather was very hot and it did take its toll on the crews. We got the call at 7.30am and we were there until mid afternoon. At least no one was hurt in the incident.”
It is not yet known how the fire started.