Elderly woman escapes house fire thanks to smoke alarms
Firefighters are stressing the importance of having working smoke alarms at home after an elderly woman escaped from a fire at her home last week.
The fire is thought to have started when a spark from a log burner set a wicker basket alight.
Fire crews from Deeside, Mold and Ruthin were called to a fire near Llanarmon yn Ial in North Wales at around 12.15pm on Friday 9th March.
Andy Robb from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were able to advise the occupier to make her way safely out of the property and she received treatment for mild smoke inhalation at the scene. The fire started in a wicker basket positioned near a log burner. A spark had ignited paper and logs in the basket. We would strongly advise against placing wicker items near a heat source – although they look decorative they can easily overheat or catch a spark and ignite. The combination of a working smoke alarm and a link to outside assistance undoubtedly saved this lady’s life and enabled us to arrive in time to prevent substantial damage to the property. The smoke alarms at the property had been fitted by staff from our fire and rescue service during a previous home safety check.”
Devon landlord fined £158,000 for safety breaches
Joseph Ernest Draper was fined at Exeter Crown Court after pleading guilty to four offences under the Fire Safety Order 2005.
The court case follows a fire at Mr Drapers Ilfracombe property which resulted in some of the 13 tenants having to escape from the burning building by climbing on to the roof.
After the fire, Devon and Somerset fire investigators carrying out a safety audit discovered that doors were not constructed to resist fire and some did not have self closing devices fitted.
Nick manning from Devon and Somerset fire service said: “Landlords and owners of properties used as flats should take notice of the outcome of this case – it has sent a clear message with the level of the fine awarded.”
Family escape blaze after dog spots fire
A student has been praised for her quick thinking after alerting the fire brigade that a neighbouring house was on fire.
Eighteen year old Danielle Davey of Thorpe St Andrew was woken by her dog ‘Scooby’ at around 1am yesterday. Danielle said “I heard a bang and didn’t think anything of it and then my dog Scooby went over to the window and started barking. I looked out and saw the fire. When I looked out there was fire coming out of the window. When I was on the phone to the fire brigade there was a further explosion – there was just smoke everywhere.”
A 35 year old man was taken to the hospital to be treated for burns to his throat and smoke inhalation. All other occupants including the family pets escaped shaken but unhurt.
Norfolk Fire and Rescue service have said of Danielle; “We’re full of praise for her actions. With any kind of fire the sooner we can get there the less chance there is of someone being injured or killed.”
An investigation will be carried out by the police and fire officers to determine the cause of the blaze.
Opus Homewares fined over B&M Bargains fire safety breach
Discount store chain Opus Homewares has reportedly been fined more than £7,500 after fire safety breaches were found at one of its stores.
The B&M Bargains outlet in Hartlepool’s Highlight Retail Park was found to have breached fire safety regulations a total of five times by blocking emergency exits. The obstructed exits were uncovered following a fire at the premises in September 2009, but Opus Homewares has only now been taken to court over the issue.
Speaking on behalf of Cleveland Fire Brigade, head of fire engineering Barry Waller explained:
“The fire broke out at the front of the store and, after the fire was extinguished by responding fire crews, it was found that several exits were unavailable or obstructed.
“The circumstances found at the time of the incident were such that they seriously compromised the safety of the occupants and that is not something the fire brigade can, or will, condone.
“It is important people realise we take these regulations very seriously and we will take such action whenever necessary.”
For their fire safety failures – which should have been dealt with as part of a fire risk assessment – Opus Homewares was fined a total of £7,500 and ordered to pay court costs of £4,000.
Two people in critical condition after child starts fire with cigarette lighter
Two people are in a critical condition in hospital after a house fire in Bentilee. One child also required hospital treatment and three others escaped unhurt.
The incident happened on the morning of Monday 20th December and is thought to have been started by a three year old child playing with a cigarette lighter.
Firefighters took over an hour to put out the fire which started in one of the bedrooms. Luckily the smoke alarms were triggered which enabled the children in the other bedroom to evacuate the building quickly.
Mick Daniels, Newcastle station manager said “This incident highlights the importance of smoke alarms – without them the other children would not have been aware of the fire until it had developed further and could have then ended up trapped.”
The local community are helping the family, who lost most of their possessions in the fire, by collecting clothes, food and even Christmas presents.