Arson at Somerset school
A fire that started in a school in Somerset while 1,242 pupils worked in their classrooms was started deliberately.
The fire was started at around 2.30pm on 14th July in the old school hall. It was attended by seven fire engines and several specialist support appliances from Avon Fire and Rescue Service and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
Deputy headteacher Will Roberts said: “The expertise and professionalism of the fire brigade and police was very evident and the situation was handled by them with great skill. We have also thanked our students who remained very calm and patient. Although the fire is a setback, the good news is that nobody was injured, and the sports centre can return to a nearly normal service almost immediately.”
The fire was spotted by a member of staff before the fire alarms sounded and immediately alerted the emergency services.
The building has suffered extensive damage but no casualties were reported in the incident.
Smoke alarms save family home
A family have had a lucky escape after a fire started in one of the children’s bedrooms.
The fire is believed to have started in 5 year old Conrad-Leigh Brydons and 4 year old Kori’s bedroom on Monday morning.
The family think that the fire started in an electrical socket after the boys television had been left on standby but an investigation by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will be carried out to find out exactly what happened.
The family, who were at a neighbour’s house when the fire started, were alerted by the smoke alarm.
Dave Adamson, a firefighter at Westlea Fire Station and community safety technician has offered this advice in the wake of the incident: “Following the house fire at Netherton Close, Park South on Monday, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service would like to reiterate its home fire safety advice. This property was fitted with smoke detectors, and hearing these alerted the householder to the fire. Smoke alarms should be fitted to every level of the home, ideally in the middle of the room or on the hallway and landing. Smoke detectors should be checked regularly to ensure that they are working properly and never remove the batteries or disconnect the alarm. Any appliance that can be switched off should be we don’t advise to leave anything on standby. While there is power going to the unit there is always a risk of a fire. It is a bit extreme to turn everything off but those that can be turned off easily like a TV should be.”
Fire at Redditch Factory
Fire crews from Hereford and Worcester Fire Service attended a fire at a factory in Redditch on Thursday, 3rd March.
The fire broke out at the factory owned by The Robst Group at around noon but thanks to the automatic fire alarm system being activated, fire crews were able to get to the fire quickly before any major damage was caused.
The spare parts manager of the group, Veronique Mureau said that due to the fast reactions of the firefighters, there should be no serious disruption to the business.
It is a legal requirement that a fire risk assessment be carried out on all commercial buildings. If business owners fail to adhere to these laws they can be prosecuted, fined and even sent to prison.
Billericay charity shop closes High Street
A fire which broke out at an Essex Oxfam shop caused chaos on Billericay High Street on the morning of Friday 4th March.
The fire spread to 3 other neighbouring buildings causing a roof to collapse and the area had to be closed to the public and vehicles for many hours.
10 fire crews attended the blaze and no casualties have been reported.
The cause of the fire is being investigated but is not being treated as suspicious.
It is a legal requirement that a fire risk assessment be carried out on all commercial buildings. If business owners fail to adhere to these laws they can be prosecuted, fined and even sent to prison.
Man dies after escaping house fire
A man has died after escaping from a serious house fire in his home in Bentilee which started on the evening of 17th December.
Mr Maskery, father of four, suffered serious injuries in the blaze but was led to safety by neighbours. A postmortem revealed that he suffered a heart attack and renal failure but the cause of death was septic shock, which was caused by 30 per cent burns. He died on 4th January at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.
Mr Maskerys partner is also seriously ill in hospital. One of the children suffered minor burns and the other three escaped unhurt after hearing the fire alarm.
The local school, friend and neighbours have raised over £1,300 to help the family. The schools business manager, Louise Brammer has said “We’ve got a fantastic multi-agency support network to help the children. We can identify through experience what they might need. The teachers are close to all the children”.