Animals killed in Staffordshire cattery blaze

 Jan 2013

A total of 20 cats have died following a fire that broke out at a cattery in Staffordshire in the early hours of Friday January 4th.
The incident occurred at around 5.30am at the Pine Trees Cattery on Stafford Road in Cannock.
Six fire engines were sent to the scene and three water jets were used to tackle the flames, which had engulfed the building by the time crews arrived.
Station manager Dermot Hogan said the building itself has been destroyed, since it was predominantly made of wood.
He also stated that the fire had started accidentally and was not being treated as suspicious.
"A fire investigation was carried out to establish how the fire started and we believe an electrical fault within one of the pens is to blame," he remarked.
The Pine Trees Cattery's website states that the facility offers heated chalets and family pens for the cats in its care, and only takes inoculated animals.
A dedicated page has been set up on the site to provide visitors with information about the fire, on which the owner states that three of her own cats were among the casualties.
"All cats have now been identified and accounted for, and the two surviving cats are with the vet," Lynn Durnall noted in a statement.
"Both are expected to recover although one will take a little longer due to his burns.
"All of the deceased cats are also being held at the local vets E.C. Straiton's in Penkridge and will be kept there pending the wishes of the owners."
From FIA

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be carried out on all commercial properties in Scotland, including pubs, under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
If the assessment is deemed to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Duty Holder can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.

Somerset pub destroyed in blaze

10 Jan 2013

A pub in Somerset was destroyed when a blaze ripped through the building in the early hours of Sunday January 6th, prompting numerous calls to the emergency services.
Firefighters arrived at the Bell Inn, part of the Hungry Horse chain, on Preston Road in Yeovil at around 4.20am and immediately requested back-up.
Eight fire engines attended the scene as crews battled to extinguish the flames within the two-storey building, which had engulfed the ground and first floors, as well as the rear of the roof.
Further appliances were drafted in later on in the morning, with crews arriving from across the region to help in the effort.
The pub was said to be "severely damaged" by the blaze, although fortunately no one was injured. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.
According to the Western Gazette, the owners of the Bell Inn have promised to rebuild the pub later this year. In the meantime staff will be redeployed to other establishments.
Geoff Collins, a local man who witnessed the inferno, told the newspaper: "It is devastating for the area as it is the best family pub in Yeovil.
"It has a large car park, huge playground at the back, the food area is always busy and they had a great line up of live music booked throughout the year."
He added: "The smoke was so thick you couldn't see the pub. At first we couldn't see flames but eventually we saw fire in the bar area. I can only guess that was as the fire moved around."
From FIA

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be carried out on all commercial properties in Scotland, including pubs, under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
If the assessment is deemed to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Duty Holder can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.

Cannabis farm triggers fire in industrial unit

10 Jan 2013

A cannabis farm was found to have caused a fire inside an industrial unit in Lancashire, which broke out during the evening of Tuesday January 8th.
Firefighters were called to the converted barn on Ratten Lane in Hutton near Preston shortly before 8pm. They used tools to gain access to the building, which had been split into three storage units, and discovered that the entire unit was alight.
Another eight fire engines from across the county were then dispatched to the scene, along with an aerial ladder platform and a hazardous materials unit.
According to the Lancashire Evening Post, it is believed that the barn was being used to grow cannabis, and that an electrical fault within the hydroponic set-up started the blaze.
Detective sergeant Ian Derbyshire told the newspaper: "It would appear on further investigation that the property had been used to house what would appear to be a reasonably sized cannabis farm.
"An investigation is ongoing and we would appeal to anyone with any information to come forward."
Crews spent four hours tackling the flames before declaring that the fire had been brought under control and that their involvement on the scene was being reduced.
They also confirmed that run-off water from the operation has been successfully contained and that there was minimal damage to the environment.
No one was inside the building at the time of the incident, nor were there any reported injuries.
It comes after a number of homes in Salford, Greater Manchester had to be evacuated as a fire safety precaution following a blaze at a suspected cannabis farm.
The blaze broke out inside a terraced house, damaging lofts in two neighbouring homes. A 28-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of growing cannabis.
Detective sergeant Rachel Smith said: "This incident once again demonstrates the reckless danger inherent in producing cannabis. This cannabis farm has not only been producing illegal drugs but it has put nearby people in potential danger."

From FIA

If you have a Cannabis Farm, make sure your electrics are PAT Tested regularly. ;-)

09 January 2013

SFR battles industrial blaze in Glasgow

Govan fire is successfully brought under control

Firefighters from across Glasgow battled to extinguish a blaze at an industrial building in the city's Southside.
Three appliances from Polmadie, Cowcaddens and Maryhill rushed to Fairley Street in Govan around 6:20 this morning (Wednesday, January 9). The crews arrived to find the property engulfed by thick smoke and were quickly bolstered by an additional appliance from Pollok.
Forcing entry with cutting equipment, six firefighters donned full breathing apparatus and immediately moved to combat the blaze. The crews fought their way to the source of the fire and found a large quantity of industrial materials were alight.
With the use of both a main water jet and a high-pressure hosereel jet, the firefighters set about bringing the flames under control. With the fire completely surrounded, the team successfully extinguished the flames and used a Positive Pressure Ventilation fan to clear smoke from the building.
No persons were injured in the incident, the cause of which is under investigation by Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.

From SF&RS

Pensioner hospitalised after fire

Latest news

Published on Sunday 6 January 2013 12:34

An 83-year-old woman has been taken to hospital after a fire at a home.

Firefighters were called to a home on Silverdale, Hesketh Bank, just after 2pm on Saturday.
The elderly woman had escaped the blaze before fire crews arrived.
Crews from Penwortham and Tarleton fire stations attended the scene and said ‘significant’ damage had been caused to the ground floor of the home.
They were at the scene for around five hours.
An investigation is now underway into the cause of the blaze and fire crews have urged people to make sure they have smoke alarms fitted after discovering no working alarm at the property.
Watch manager Tom Cookson said: “On arrival we were met with a well developed fire on the ground floor in the living room.
“The living room has received substantial damage by fire, heat and smoke. The rest of the ground floor, and the rest of the house, has received substantial damage by smoke.
“The lady was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
From Lancashire Evening Post


“We would urge anyone without a working smoke alarm in their home to fit a minimum of one on each floor. Call us for free fire safety advice.” 01259 216713

Three people rescued from house blaze in 'racially motivated' attack

S

Three people had to be rescued from a house fire after a racially motivated attack.
The deliberate blaze started at around 5am on Sunday in Earls Court, Alloa, Clackmannanshire.

When fire crews arrived, they had to rescue three people from inside the home and put out the flames.
Central Scotland Police said they are treating the incident as racially motivated and want to speak to anyone who has any information.

A spokesman said: "Three occupants were removed safe and well, however damage was caused to the property as a result of the fire.

"It is being treated as a racially motivated incident and anyone with information should contact Central Scotland Police."
From STV

Baby treated for smoke inhalation after dishwasher catches fire

A man and his four-month-old baby had to be treated for smoke inhalation after their dishwasher caught fire.
Fire crews were called to the flat in Drumsheugh Place, Edinburgh just after 10pm on Saturday.
When they arrived they found the blaze had broken out in the kitchen appliance.
A 43-year-old man and his baby son were suffering from smoke inhalation and were given oxygen from firefighters.
They were checked over by ambulance staff but did not need to go to hospital.
Crews put out the flames and removed the dishwasher from the flat.
From STV