From Info4fire.com
My Comments below.
The SNP are partaking in a “frantic rush” to establish a single Scottish fire service, according to Scottish Labour.
It was revealed that the single Scottish fire and police services will aim to be established on 1 April 2013, at a meeting of the local government and regeneration committee on Wednesday.
Discussing the Scottish Government’s Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill, they also revealed that the fire service will be based at Perth Community Fire Station, while the police service will be based at the Scottish Police College in Fife.
Chairman of the Chief Fire Officers Association in Scotland, Alex Clark, welcomed the news that the interim headquarters for the service would be in Perth, and also moved to reassure the public that the reforms would not negatively impact on current or future services.
He said, "On behalf of all Scottish Fire and Rescue personnel, I'd like to reassure the public that wherever we are based, our communities can continue to expect the same high quality service."
Scottish Labour however warned that the “frantic rush” to meet justice secretary Kenny MacAskill’s “artificial deadline” will mean that thousands of jobs will be lost with very minimal cost savings when compared to if the job was done “properly”.
Lewis Macdonald, Labour’s justice spokesman said, "Our police and fire services are far too important to be subject to short-term political fixes.
"Ministers need to explain why they are proposing the structures outlined in the bill, with no period for transition from eight forces to one and no shadow authorities to manage the change.
"So far, with no explanations offered, the jury is out on whether the target date of 1 April 2013 can really be delivered."
The Labour Party in Scotland will say anything to demean or lessen the impact of measures taken by the Scottish Government. These measures have had a long consultation and Lewis MacDonald no doubt responded to this.There is no unseemly rush at all. Meetings have been held and all agree the timescale.
CFOA Scotland and the FBU have largely accepted and welcomed the proposals.
Party policicts should have no bearing on what is right for the Scottish Fire Service and the people of Scotland
Friday, 24 February 2012
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Chinese takeaway fined £11,000 for breaching fire safety regulations.
17 Feb 2012 From FIA
The owner of a Chinese takeaway has been fined more than £11,000 for breaching fire safety regulations.
Onn Yan Lai, joint owner of the Kings Chinese takeaway in Thatcham, Berkshire, was fined a total of £11,219 after pleading guilty to 12 offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at Reading Magistrates Court on 1st February.
The charges were brought by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RBFA) after fire safety officers inspected the restaurant, which was also used as sleeping accommodation by staff, in July 2010.
Among the breaches found during the inspection were a lack of a fire risk assessment, no adequate fire alarm system and inadequate fire protection for and obstruction of escape routes.
David Walden, RBFA's fire safety legal support manager, claimed that some firms still do not see compliance with fire safety legislation as mandatory.
He said: "This financial penalty shows that the courts do not agree. This was a clear refusal to meet statutory requirements to ensure the premises was provided with adequate fire safety measures."
The owner of a Chinese takeaway has been fined more than £11,000 for breaching fire safety regulations.
Onn Yan Lai, joint owner of the Kings Chinese takeaway in Thatcham, Berkshire, was fined a total of £11,219 after pleading guilty to 12 offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at Reading Magistrates Court on 1st February.
The charges were brought by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RBFA) after fire safety officers inspected the restaurant, which was also used as sleeping accommodation by staff, in July 2010.
Among the breaches found during the inspection were a lack of a fire risk assessment, no adequate fire alarm system and inadequate fire protection for and obstruction of escape routes.
David Walden, RBFA's fire safety legal support manager, claimed that some firms still do not see compliance with fire safety legislation as mandatory.
He said: "This financial penalty shows that the courts do not agree. This was a clear refusal to meet statutory requirements to ensure the premises was provided with adequate fire safety measures."
Twenty Care Home residents had to be evacuated from Fire
21 Feb 2012 FIA
Twenty elderly residents had to be evacuated from a care home in London after a fire started in a laundry room.
London Fire and Rescue Service were called to Elmglade Nursing Home in Sutton at around 4pm yesterday afternoon (20th February), reports the Sutton Guardian.
A total of 20 firefighters arrived at the incident to tackle the small scale blaze, which took less than an hour to get under control.
One resident and one member of staff had to be rescued by firefighters from the first floor, while another resident had to be treated by for a cut to the leg.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, (The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005) in Scotland a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England, Wales and Scotland.
If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person (Duty Holder) can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire.
Twenty elderly residents had to be evacuated from a care home in London after a fire started in a laundry room.
London Fire and Rescue Service were called to Elmglade Nursing Home in Sutton at around 4pm yesterday afternoon (20th February), reports the Sutton Guardian.
A total of 20 firefighters arrived at the incident to tackle the small scale blaze, which took less than an hour to get under control.
One resident and one member of staff had to be rescued by firefighters from the first floor, while another resident had to be treated by for a cut to the leg.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, (The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005) in Scotland a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England, Wales and Scotland.
If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person (Duty Holder) can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire.
Friday, 17 February 2012
Whitney Houston fan's candle vigil sparks house blaze
Whitney Houston fan's candle vigil sparks house blaze
A British Whitney Houston fan, Anne Lomax, accidently set fire to her Manchester house during a candle-lit vigil for the star who died at the weekend.
Mrs Lomax was among thousands of fans who paid tribute to Whitney Houston.
The 53 year-old, who had been left "devastated" by the events had been playing the singer's records and saying prayers as she mourned her idol.
She then lit a candle in the 48 year-old star's memory before going to bed. But the curtains then caught fire from a candle flame and the blaze quickly spread to the TV and electrics in the property.
Authorities warned of the dangers of leaving candles on overnight.
Mrs Lomax, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was woken by her smoke alarms just after 2.30am on Valentine's Day, as the fire service raced to the property.
She managed to escape unscathed along with her three dogs while firemen put out the blaze, but the living room of her semi-detached house, in was destroyed.
''I had been sitting at the computer playing some music and saying a prayer for Whitney Houston," she said. ''I was a big fan and I was just devastated when she died so I thought I'd light a candle. ''I was listening to her music and my thoughts were with Whitney."
She added: "'I had a little tealight on the window sill.
''I thought I had blown it out when I went up to bed but the next thing I knew the smoke alarms were going off.
''I dread to think what would have happened if I didn't have smoke alarms. I could have died."
She continued: ''Everyone has candles these days but you don't realise how dangerous they are.
''People should be careful with candles. I really thought I'd blown it out, I can't believe the damage it has caused. It's devastating.''
Three fire crews from Oldham and Chadderton Fire Stations were called to the house.
Watch manager Rick Taylor said: ''The blaze quickly spread from the curtains to the TV and electrics in the house.
''It caused thick black smoke but thankfully they had a working smoke alarm which gave them an early warning. We also managed to rescue three dogs from the property.''
Greater Manchester Fire Authority chairman David Acton added: ''Candle safety is so important. Never leave candles unattended, whether you're using them to decorate your home or as a religious symbol, they can be dangerous.
''Remember to extinguish candles before you go to sleep and make sure the candle is standing up straight and is in a proper holder so it can't fall over.''
Houston died in Beverly Hills, California, on Saturday.
A British Whitney Houston fan, Anne Lomax, accidently set fire to her Manchester house during a candle-lit vigil for the star who died at the weekend.
Mrs Lomax was among thousands of fans who paid tribute to Whitney Houston.
The 53 year-old, who had been left "devastated" by the events had been playing the singer's records and saying prayers as she mourned her idol.
She then lit a candle in the 48 year-old star's memory before going to bed. But the curtains then caught fire from a candle flame and the blaze quickly spread to the TV and electrics in the property.
Authorities warned of the dangers of leaving candles on overnight.
Mrs Lomax, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was woken by her smoke alarms just after 2.30am on Valentine's Day, as the fire service raced to the property.
She managed to escape unscathed along with her three dogs while firemen put out the blaze, but the living room of her semi-detached house, in was destroyed.
''I had been sitting at the computer playing some music and saying a prayer for Whitney Houston," she said. ''I was a big fan and I was just devastated when she died so I thought I'd light a candle. ''I was listening to her music and my thoughts were with Whitney."
She added: "'I had a little tealight on the window sill.
''I thought I had blown it out when I went up to bed but the next thing I knew the smoke alarms were going off.
''I dread to think what would have happened if I didn't have smoke alarms. I could have died."
She continued: ''Everyone has candles these days but you don't realise how dangerous they are.
''People should be careful with candles. I really thought I'd blown it out, I can't believe the damage it has caused. It's devastating.''
Three fire crews from Oldham and Chadderton Fire Stations were called to the house.
Watch manager Rick Taylor said: ''The blaze quickly spread from the curtains to the TV and electrics in the house.
''It caused thick black smoke but thankfully they had a working smoke alarm which gave them an early warning. We also managed to rescue three dogs from the property.''
Greater Manchester Fire Authority chairman David Acton added: ''Candle safety is so important. Never leave candles unattended, whether you're using them to decorate your home or as a religious symbol, they can be dangerous.
''Remember to extinguish candles before you go to sleep and make sure the candle is standing up straight and is in a proper holder so it can't fall over.''
Houston died in Beverly Hills, California, on Saturday.
Major fire at Perth recycling plant
Major fire at Perth recycling plant. BBC Scotland News.
Emergency services are fighting a large fire at a recycling centre in Perth, close to the A9. Video courtesy of Ian Haig
A crowd of people had to run to safety after a gas canister exploded during a major blaze at a Perth recycling plant.
Staff at Wyllie Recycling and neighbouring units were evacuated as a result of the fire, which could be seen for miles around.
The exploding canister sent shrapnel flying more than 40ft, with one piece of debris landing in a field where people had been watching the fire.
Firefighters were called to the Inveralmond industrial estate at 07:40.
Tayside Fire Service said about 100 tonnes of rubbish had caught fire, causing a mile-high plume of black smoke to drift across the A9 dual carriageway and for about five miles across the centre of Perth.
“As soon as we heard the bang we all legged it. People were running for their lives”
The fire is also understood to have spread to other buildings on the site and is close to a kerosene tank which is causing concern to firefighters.
Witness Gerry Scott, 27, said he had been driving to work in Perth when he saw the smoke rising from the recycling plant in Ruthvenfield Way and pulled over to watch with workers from the estate and other motorists.
He said: "You could feel the heat from it a long way back. Then there was a loud crack, like a car backfiring or fireworks going off, and that must have been some sort of gas canister.
"You could clearly see bits of it flying through the air and the largest piece tore right through the roof of the factory and something like 60 feet into the sky.
"As soon as we heard the bang we all legged it. People were running for their lives and it's just as well they did because bits were landing near where they had been standing."
Motorists reported being able to see the smoke from the blaze up to 20 miles away.
Tayside Fire and Rescue sent 10 fire engines from across Perthshire to fight the blaze, as well as an aerial ladder platform and a command support unit.
The fire caused extensive damage to the unit as paper, cardboard and general waste caught alight.
Police said smoke from the fire was not affecting local roads
An investigation into the source of the blaze has been launched, but it is not believed to be suspicious.
A Tayside Police spokesman said: "We attended a recycling centre in Ruthvenfield Way, Perth, shortly before 8am. We were alerted by Tayside Fire and Rescue to a fire which had taken hold in the yard.
"The smoke is not causing difficulty to road users as it is moving up and over the A9. It is not affecting traffic at this time. Waste paper and cardboard is on fire and the blaze is now under control.
"All members of staff at the recycling centre have been accounted for and neighbouring businesses have been made aware of what has happened."
Scottish Water said people living near the scene of the fire may have their water cut off or experienced low pressure as the fire service tap into the mains supply for water to fight the blaze.
A spokesman for the company added: "When supplies are fully restored customers may also experience some discolouration to their supply, this discolouration is harmless and will gradually disappear as the system returns to normal.
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and cooperation."
Fire couple rescued from balcony at Kirkcaldy flats
Fire couple rescued from balcony at Kirkcaldy flats. STV News
The pair were rescued from the sixth-floor balcony.
Two people have been rescued from a sixth-floor balcony after a fire broke out in their Fife flat.Fire fire crews were called to the scene at the eight-storey Park View flats at about 00:10.
They found a man and woman on the balcony of the sixth-floor flat and brought them down to safety, Fife Fire and Rescue Service said.
"The pair were treated for smoke inhalation by an ambulance crew but did not need to go to hospital."
Fire Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the blaze by 02:00.
The pair were rescued from the sixth-floor balcony.
Two people have been rescued from a sixth-floor balcony after a fire broke out in their Fife flat.Fire fire crews were called to the scene at the eight-storey Park View flats at about 00:10.
They found a man and woman on the balcony of the sixth-floor flat and brought them down to safety, Fife Fire and Rescue Service said.
"The pair were treated for smoke inhalation by an ambulance crew but did not need to go to hospital."
Fire Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the blaze by 02:00.
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Man injured in Scottish restaurant blaze
Man injured in restaurant blaze
Feb 16 2012
A man has been taken to hospital following a fire at a restaurant.
Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue were called to Waterside Bistro in Haddington, East Lothian just after 10am on Thursday.
The man, 24, suffered facial burns and was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.
The blaze started in the kitchen of the restaurant where he works.
It was extinguished without any significant damage to the bistro.
Feb 16 2012
A man has been taken to hospital following a fire at a restaurant.
Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue were called to Waterside Bistro in Haddington, East Lothian just after 10am on Thursday.
The man, 24, suffered facial burns and was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.
The blaze started in the kitchen of the restaurant where he works.
It was extinguished without any significant damage to the bistro.
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