Fire at St Mary’s primary school in South Gloucestershire
A fire broke out at St Mary’s primary school in Yate on 24th February at around 5am.
The blaze caused extensive damage to the headteacher’s office and smoke damage to the reception classes. A play house and a large number of outdoor toys were also destroyed.
Fire investigation officer Jon Brown said: “There has been an incident at the school which started at around 5am this morning. Fire broke out in two separate locations at the same time and unfortunately in one of those locations the fire penetrated the roof area and has caused some smoke damage. Three appliances, two from Yate and one from Kingswood, have been in attendance overnight and we used breathing apparatus and hose reel jets to put out the flames.”
Jacqie Berry, School business manager said: “As I was driving down the hill to get here I was quite relieved that there were no big flames. I think we were very, very lucky that the fire brigade are so near and came so quickly as they have minimised the damage. We haven’t been able to get in yet but I think there will probably be smoke and water damage to other parts of the school.”
It is not yet known how the fire started but an investigation will is now under way.
Norfolk Food factory destroyed in blaze
50 firefighters were called to attend a huge fire which destroyed a food factory in Norfolk on the 9th November.
The blaze broke out at Broadland Hams on the Sweet Briar Road Industrial Estate at around 2pm on Wednesday.
Pumps from Earlham, Sprowston, Carrow, Hethersett, Wroxham, Long Stratton, Wymondham, Aylsham, and Attleborough plus the aerial ladder platform from Great Yarmouth were at the scene.
Richard Herrell from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Services said: “The fire is very difficult to extinguish because the roof is constructed of sandwich panels of polystyrene, a highly combustible material associated with firefighters’ deaths in the past.”
Mr Herrel said that they had to ensure the fire did not spread to the factory’s refrigeration site as it contained highly explosive gases.
Louise Hall, who works at an office block nearby said: “We are looking at it through our window. It seems to be getting worse and there’s thick black smoke coming out of it. The whole side of the building seems to be on fire, and it’s bellowing out flames.”
Everyone was evacuated safely but one member of staff was treated for smoke inhalation.
Fire destroys warehouse and classic car collection
A huge fire that broke out on Saturday night has destroyed a warehouse and the owners classic car collection.
Mr Colesellhill who owns Jenda UK Ltd in Irthlingborough, had to stand and watch whilst his business and his American classic cars went up in flames after a fire tore through the warehouse.
50 firefighters tackled the blaze for eight hours, but could not save the building.
Mr Colesellhill: “It has burned half of the building down. It’s devastating. My little world has come to an abrupt end.”
Initial reports show that the fire may have started at the entrance of the building near huge bundles of used clothing stored in cages. My Colesellhill was also storing large amounts of cooking oil which he was selling to be made into bio-diesel.
Chris Kemp from Wellingborough Fire Station said: “There are a lot of rags in there and they have been smouldering and burning for a long time. The oil and the rags are not a good thing together. If the oil contaminated the rags they burn quite freely.”
An investigation will be carried out to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Luxury Sunseeker yacht goes up in flames
A huge fire broke out on a luxury 34 metre Sunseeker Yacht in Poole Quay last week.
Firefighters tackled the blaze for many hours but the £9m vessel was destroyed.
Chief Operating Officer of Sunseeker International, Stewart McIntrye said: “The insurers have already been notified, we did that during the night. A surveyor has been appointed. We will go through our standard procedures.”
Mike Cox from the fire service said that weather conditions at the time of the fire were helping them in their efforts as the wind was blowing the fumes and smoke away from the area.
A witness to the blaze said: “One of the party saw a flicker of flame out of the corner of his eye and we went outside to see what was happening. It all seemed to take hold very quickly and was very dramatic. It was extremely sad to see it all being destroyed. It was fairly quiet on the quay at that point but it soon drew quite a big crowd.”
The boat which can accommodate 10 guests and 5 crew members was due to be delivered to it’s Mexican buyer this week.
An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out but initial findings show that foul play is not suspected.
Company fined over £20,000 for safety breaches after man seriously injured in fire
A 24 year old man suffered serious burns from a flash fire after opening an industrial oven door at a factory unit in Tamworth in March 2010.
The man who worked at Environ-Strip (UK) had to be put in an induced coma. He suffered acute burns to his face, arms, neck and left hand when his body was engulfed in the flames.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that a safety device that prevents the oven door from opening if the temperature is in excess of 260 degrees had been ‘deliberately bypassed’.
The company was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay over £6,000 in costs after Burton-on-Trent Magistrates Court found them guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 5(1) of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002.
Gail Pannell from HSE said: “This was a very serious, entirely preventable incident that could easily have been fatal and left a man on a life support machine. He is extremely lucky to have recovered from his injuries. When working with potentially dangerous substances at high temperatures, companies must carry out proper risk assessments and set up a safe system of work. This includes checking that safety devices are fit for purpose and suitably maintained.”