Lincolnshire smoking fire deaths prompt warning
New fire service figures have been released and it has been revealed that cigarettes caused every fatal house fire in Lincolnshire in 2012.
Although the figure of accidental dwelling fires fell to 212 compared with 365 in 2011 and 380 in 2010, fatalities rose from one to three.
It was added by the fire service that those involved in smoking-related fires often needed more medical help and officers said such incidents tended to happen as people were falling asleep and appealed for smokers to take care.
The Fire Safety Manager said: “These accidental fires often start when people are at their most vulnerable, which is why they are so often fatal.
“So, we are trying to encourage people to not smoke when feeling tired, especially in bed or lounging in a chair. And to remember that if they have been drinking alcohol or taking medication, they may feel drowsy.”
It is advised also that smokers should always use an ashtray, never smoke in bed and make sure the contents of ashtrays were completely extinguished.
South Yorkshire fire service misses response time target
It was announced earlier this week that South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has never met its own time target for responding to emergencies, according to fire authority figures.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said lives were being put at risk but Assistant Chief Fire Officer John Roberts said they “have to be realistic about what we can achieve” and they would be setting a new target in consultation with the public.
He also commented that “fire does spread quickly, and a lot of the work we do is around prevention to stop the fire from starting in the first place. In terms of getting there as quickly as we can, we will always make that commitment to the public, but with the ongoing financial situation we have to be realistic about what we can achieve now and in the future.”
By 2015 the government will be reducing its funding by about £10m, and the fire authority last month agreed to increase its council tax precept by 1.98% to bring in an extra £400,000 in annual revenue.
4 year old girl suffers 60% burns after clothes are set alight by gas fire
A four-year-old girl is fighting for her life after she was severely burnt by a gas fire at her home in Bury, Greater Manchester.
The 4 years old suffered around 60% burns to her face and body after her clothes were set alight by a gas fire.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “It is believed that her clothes had caught fire when she walked near to a gas fire. She suffered extensive burns and was taken to Manchester Children’s Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition. Police are still investigating but believe it to be a tragic accident at this stage.”
Two fire engines from Bury fire station attended the scene.
A spokesman for the fire service said: “The fire had been confined to the young girl’s clothing but she had suffered approximately 60 per cent burns involving her face and body.”
A full investigation into the exact cause of the incident is now being carried out by the Fire Service and police.
Blaze at Ironworks site set to burn for several days
A huge fire broke out at around 10.30pm on Saturday 15th September at an Ironworks company in Stanton near Ilkeston.
60 firefighters battled the blaze at the property which contained over 7000 tonnes of wood.
The fire service said that a “large plume of smoke” spread across the region but it is not believed that the smoke was toxic. However they did advice people with breathing difficulties to keep windows shut and to remain indoors if possible.
A local homeowner affected by the incident said: “I’ll be claiming off someone for this because it stinks. The wind’s changed so it’s now coming right over us. If it’s set to go on for a few days it will stink the whole house out, even with our windows and doors shut. If it goes into the house and takes the carpets and curtains, it’s not going to be nice. We’ve got no alternative but to put up with it.”
Steve Carnell, who was visiting a relative nearby at the time of the fire said: “We’ve got the doors and windows shut. We’re waiting for my dad to come out of hospital – I don’t know what he’ll make of this. Luckily, it’s only wood that is burning so it’s not toxic. The smoke has only been blowing over us this morning. A slight gust of wind can change it simultaneously.”
Station manager Gary Platts said: “The wood is mainly recycled and therefore less compact and harder to put out. Firefighters are continuing to work to keep the fire under control and prevent the fire from further spread. We did receive reports of the smoke being seen from the M1 and we continue to urge drivers to be careful on nearby roads while the smoke is still coming off the fire.”
Mr Platts added: “It is a pretty big fire and has given off a lot of smoke. We have had assistance from the owners of the site and they have been using their equipment to help us, but they can only do so much because they don’t have breathing equipment and we don’t want to see them put in danger. I would also like to thank the crews from Nottinghamshire who have come to help us”
It is not yet known how the fire started. Mr Platts said: “It’s too early to say what any cause might be – there are some organic elements to the recycled wood which could have created heat or it could have been malicious. We just don’t know yet.”
Historic 17th century thatched barn destroyed in fire
A large blaze has destroyed a historic 17th century thatched barn in Denchworth, South Oxfordshire.
Local residents described the blaze that broke out at around 3am on 11th March as “horrific”.
70 firefighters attended the fierce blaze trying desperately to prevent the flames from spreading to neighbouring homes. Many trees were cut down to stop the fire spreading further.
The flames were so severe that at one point firefighters were unable to walk past the buildings due to the intense.
The barn was part of the Denchworth Manor which is a Grade II listed building. It was recently sold by Savills UK for around £4.75m.
Eye witness, Rosemary Jones said: “It was horrific when we looked out the window and saw the flames going up, especially as we live in a thatched building.”
Mike Jones, added: “We were concerned about it spreading until we spoke to the fire chief and they said it was under control. But if the wind had been up and coming from that direction everyone would have had a problem.”
Another local resident from Denchworth said: “It was one hell of a blaze. I was standing 200 yards away and I could feel the heat. From what I could see the firefighters could not put it out, but they contained it from getting to the manor house or any other buildings. They did a great job. But they were beautiful, elegant thatched barns with a lot of history and significance to this village. It is a disaster to this area.”
During the fire, electricity pylons were damaged, cutting power to the community for over an hour.
David Heycock, Fire service group manager said: “The spread of the fire was so quick we were unable to prevent the loss of the building.”
An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out.