Arson suspected as 10,000 costumes go up in flames
A serious fire which broke out on Saturday at around 3.30am has destroyed thousands of costumes that were used in films such as The King’s Speech.
The costume hire business in Market Street, Torquay has supplied costumes to the stage and screen since 1966 and have been worn by many actors including Brian Blessed, Edward Woodward and Oliver Reed.
Around 50 firefighters attended the blaze which destroyed over 10,000 ‘irreplaceable’ costumes.
The owner of the company, Mr Lionel Digby said; “It is finished. The only things that haven’t been damaged is the stuff that is not valuable. You can’t replace things that were made in 1914, they were collectors’ items. At 76 years of age do I really want to start all over again? Perhaps this is God’s way of telling me to take it easy.”
It is not yet known how the fire started but a 28 year old has been arrested and is due to appear in court charged with six offences including burglary and arson.
Safety breach fine after death at Manchester care home
The manager of a care home in Altrincham has appeared in court for breaching the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Karen Sykes who was the duty manager of the Oldfield Bank Residential Care Home in Highgate Road, Altrincham was accused of not carrying out a full search of the building when a fire alarm was activated in the building in May 2009. An elderly resident died following the fire.
Although the alarm went off at around 6pm, it was then silenced. Shortly after that, a fire was discovered and the emergency services were alerted at 7.15pm. When the fire service arrived at the scene they discovered that the alarm had been switched to silence mode.
Judge Justice Lakin of Manchester Crown Court said: “My duty is clear. I have to apply the law. As the manager of the care home it was Sykes responsibility for the fire alarm and evacuation.”
Karen Sykes was fined £500 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.
Peter O’Reilly, Assistant County Fire Officer from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “This case clearly highlights and enforces the message that employees have a duty to ensure the safety of the people they are looking after. This behaviour simply isn’t acceptable and we should not forget that an elderly resident in Sykes care died that night. This is the first time an employee has been prosecuted under this legislation, as opposed to the employer, and I am proud of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue for bringing this about.”
Owners vow to rebuild after historic pub destroyed in fire
A historical Cornwall pub that was voted ‘Pub of the Year’ in 2010, has been seriously damaged in a fire.
The fire, believed to have started in the chimney at the Pandora Inn near Falmouth on 24th March, destroyed the roof and the first floor of the building.
Neighbour, Cordelia Folland, said: “People come from all over the world to see the Pandora. It’s a real blow with the tourist season just beginning. It’s very upsetting.”
It took 40 firefighters and 6 fire appliances several hours to extinguish the blaze.
Pub landlord Steve Franks said that all of his possessions were destroyed in the fire: “With the wind going through the way it was, it went straight through the building. It took hold within minutes. All the personal belongings, every photo, every piece of clothing; all I’ve got on now is all I’ve got. But at least no-one’s hurt, that’s the main thing”.
Inspections are to be carried out on the structure of the pub to assess the full extent of the damage but the owners have vowed to rebuild it.
Hotel company admits safety breaches after 3 die in fire
The owners of a Hotel in Cornwall have admitted breaching fire safety regulations after what was described as the worst fire in the UK for almost 40 years. Three people died in the blaze.
The fire which broke out on 18th August 2007 is thought to have started in a drinks store room and quickly spread through the building. More than 100 firefighters fought the blaze and 90 people were evacuated to safety. Sadly, Joan Harper, 80; Monica Hughes, 86; and her 43 year old son, Peter all died as a result of the fire.
O&C Holdsworth Ltd, who own the hotel in Newquay admitted to several breaches including failing to provide fire detection systems and failing to carry out a sufficient risk assessment.
The owners admitted to serious safety breaches but two employees, who pleaded not guilty to similar charges, were discharged by the judge at Truro Crown Court. Two senior Holdsworth employees, John McMillan and Nichola Burfitt, denied six offences. Their pleas were accepted by the prosecution.
John Hughes – brother of Peter and son of Monica said: “To lose two members of your family is beyond most people’s imagination. The best thing that could come out of this is that the tourism agencies and hotels sit up and take note. There are still premises and hotels around the country that are not complying with fire regulations.”
Cornwall Council said it welcomed the guilty plea. Judge Elwen adjourned sentencing of the company, based in West Yorkshire, until May.
Part of Richmond College destroyed in fire
A fire which broke out in the early hours of the morning has destroyed Richmond College’s painting workshop.
25 firefighters from several fire stations attended the incident after the alarms were activated in the Egerton Road complex.
It took firefighters over 4 hours to extinguish the fire but they managed to prevent the flames spreading into other parts of the building.
Noel Hanson from the fire service said: “The firefighters did really well to stop it from spreading to the rest of the building. The rest of the area was saved by firefighter action and I would like to commend them for their work as well as the security at Richmond College for their guidance.”
There were no casualties reported and an investigation is now underway to establish the cause of the fire.