Fire service warning to Shropshire arsonists
Following a spate of arson attacks in Shrewsbury, fire chiefs have now moved to issue a warning that any persons convicted over the more serious of these crimes could face a jail term of life imprisonment.
The recent fire in the town where 10 people had to be evacuated from flats above a furniture store was just one of a number of similar arson incidents.
A joint investigation between the West Mercia Police and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has been launched into this blaze.
The fire risk that is endangering lives has caused the fire service to speak out over the arson attacks in a bid to get the perpetrators to think more carefully about what they are doing.
The area manager and head of protection and prevention for the fire service, John Das-Gupta, said:
“What people might think is a bit of fun and tomfoolery quite clearly has the potential to jeopardise a number of people’s safety.”
The county’s fire crime officer, Derek Taylor, added:
“People need to think about what could happen if they do these things. Any fire that is started deliberately has the capability of causing death or serious injury. If they get convicted of arson with intent to endanger life it carries life imprisonment.”
Cheshire hotel in breach of fire safety codes
The fire service has sent out a warning to hoteliers that fire safety procedures and the equipment installed on their premises needs to be checked regularly following a number of serious breaches at the Belfry Hotel in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
The hotel was fined £75,000 for three counts of serious breaches of the regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order last Monday after a routine visit by firefighters drew their attention to the issues surrounding fire safety.
The manager for Community Fire Protection at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, Lee Shears, said:
“Fire safety is a key part of good business management and the Hallmark Hotel Group showed little or no regard for the safety of their guests or employees and the result was a prosecution.”
This incident has served as a serious wake-up call to businesses that do not have working fire alarms in place as well as suitable fire exits for the safety of their guests during an evacuation of the premises. Hotel staff had also not been properly trained in fire safety.
Judge Elgin Edwards told the court:
“For people who run hotels, fire security is particularly important.
“This company carried on trading and taking guests when quite clearly these guests were put at substantial risk.”
The hotel has now reopened following the recommended changes to its fire safety procedures and equipment.
Inquiry begins into Chinese restaurant blaze in Aberdeen
An investigation has now been initiated following a huge fire at a Chinese restaurant just outside Aberdeen which caused severe damage to the premises.
It took around 30 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus to tackle the fire, which is thought to have been started in the kitchen to the rear of the Royal China restaurant, in Peterculter last Thursday night.
The cause of the fierce fire is still not known but it is hoped the full assessment will offer some clues.
The group manager for Grampian Fire and Rescue, Garry Burnett, said:
“On turning up, the crews were faced with a fire that was expanding from the ground floor to the first floor.
“Very quickly crews with breathing apparatus were deployed to quell the fire. The appliances were increased from an initial two to five. There were two special appliances and an aerial vehicle. About 30 staff have been involved. It’s fair to say there’s substantial damage to the ground and first floor.
“There will be a full investigation and only then can we get a true picture.”
The building had to be evacuated once the fire was identified with twelve diners as well as staff having to leave the restaurant at the time.
Council bin collection plans to become more widespread
In the last article we reported how London councillors are considering increasing the schedule for rubbish collections in the capital to a fortnightly service and how this has been opposed by fire chiefs.
However, councils have moved swiftly to put the blame firmly at the doorstep of fly-tippers and arsonists when it comes to rubbish fires.
Councillor Gary Porter, chairman of the Local Government Association environment board, explained:
“Local authorities recognise the need to keep the risk of bin fires to a minimum.
“The problem is with irresponsible arsonists and fly-tippers who are determined to make other people’s lives a misery.
“An easy target is rubbish that has been dumped by people who can’t be bothered to dispose of their waste responsibly.”
Despite this, Bob Neill the Fire Services minister is looking to agree on a solution with councils regarding this issue following revelations from a survey in July that almost half of councils are planning to reduce the services of bin collections and street cleaning in the near future to save money.
He said:
“This is a very serious issue, given refuse fires account for almost half of all outdoor fires.
“This just shows that cutting frontline services like weekly collections is a false economy.
“The public now pay a lot of money in council tax, and want a decent bin collection in return.
“The new Government will be working with councils to improve the quality and frequency of rubbish and recycling collections.”
Fire service warning over fortnightly rubbish collections
Fire chiefs in London have moved to express their concerns over council plans to reduce spending by making bin collections less frequent.
Councillor Brian Coleman, chairman of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, said that this move could prove to be a fire hazard, with rubbish left on the streets already leading to an increase in arson attacks.
Figures show that there were 8,438 rubbish fires in the capital during 2009 and this quick fix solution could cause these numbers to rise even further, leading to an increased fire risk for homes and businesses in London.
Cllr Coleman said:
“Most outdoor fires are fires in rubbish and refuse. The brigade has been successful in reducing the numbers of rubbish fires in London.
“However, there is a real danger that if fortnightly bin collections were introduced it would increase the number of fires which will risk lives and cost the taxpayer dear.
“Rubbish, refuse and other materials left outside are often maliciously set alight and even now we still attend over 8,000 calls each year.
“The brigade wants to cut this number further but will be hampered by a short sighted, short term, quick fix solution that could increase the overall bill to the taxpayer.”