On these pages you will find news about FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems as well as relevant media coverage on fires.
Click on the links below to view the news.
These news stories are only intended to give an idea of the heartache and damage caused by fire and are by no means a complete record of fires taking place.
Welcome to 2008!
When we started this news column in 2006, we thought
we‘d try to highlight some of the more serious fires in the UK
and elsewhere to demonstrate that fire sprinklers really do save lives
and properties.
Alas, we couldn’t even begin to keep up with the
number of fires breaking out every day – some fatal – others
devastating in terms of loss of properties and businesses.
Indeed there have so many fires that the news pages
were beginning to slow down this website!
So here we are in 2008.
And what’s one of the first big stories of the
year?
The Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital in London is being
evacuated as a serious fire rages through the roof space!
Critically ill patients are being evacuated from their
beds to ambulances and hospitals elsewhere and vital specialist equipment
is being damaged by smoke and water.
It’s not a great start is it?
However on a happier note, Firestop has recently completed
a retro fit sprinkler system in the Carrondale Nursing Home in Falkirk.
It’s creating a bit of attention and local MSP
Michael Matheson has been to speak to residents and see for himself how
the system works.
He has been campaigning for sprinklers to be fitted
in a large new hospital being built in his constituency, but so far the
local health authorities are not keen.
Read the Falkirk Herald to see how he gets on.
Watch this space for more news during 2008 – and
let’s hope some of it is good news…
FIRESTOP JOINS GLASGOW SPRINKLER CAMPAIGN
Firestop Sprinkler Systems Ltd has joined the FireSafe Housing for Glasgow campaign being launched by the City Council and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service.
The company was represented by its managing Director David Watson at a demonstration organised by the fire service in Pollok, where two similar flats were set on fire – one fitted with sprinklers, whilst the other was not.
The room not protected by sprinklers was completely destroyed.
The one not fitted with sprinklers was destroyed within minutes, whilst the one with sprinklers was hardly damaged at all.
Councillor Jim Coleman, the council’s deputy leader said: “The sprinklers could mean the difference between life and death – I urge house builders to think seriously about installing sprinklers in their new developments.
Brian Sweeney, chief officer of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said: “I call on house builders to help us dispel some of the myths about fire sprinklers. It is a myth that homes are flooded because every sprinkler operates in a fire.
“Sprinkler systems operate very quickly and can use a very small amount of water which is released only over the source of the fire.
“Last year nine people in Glasgow were killed by fire while another 273 were injured.
Frank McAveety MSP inspects the room where the sprinkler head triggered, putting out the fire immediately with almost no damage.
“Sprinkler systems work in other countries, so there is no reason why our own house builders cannot take a UK lead by installing sprinklers in new homes in Glasgow.
“In Vancouver in Canada, installing sprinklers in homes cut fire injuries by 85%.”
David Watson of Firestop Sprinkler Systems said: ”Modern fire sprinkler systems for domestic homes are easy to install and virtually invisible when completed.
“They cost no more than a typical fitted kitchen in a new build home and we now have new systems which make sprinkler heads virtually invisible in existing homes which can now be retro-fitted with a sprinkler system.”
Firestop will also be attending a meeting in the City Chambers on 20th June were pictures of the demonstration will be shown to invited guests from the fire service and housing sector.
SO JUST HOW SAFE ARE OUR CARE HOMES?
Let’s talk for a moment about fire safety in our care homes.
When a relative or friend has to go into a care home, it can be quite a traumatic experience for all concerned.
However of all the things which might worry our families at that time, fire safety should not be one of them.
Last year, the government sponsored Care Commission inspected around 97% of Scottish Care Homes after the Rosepark disaster in which 14 residents died.
(The other three per cent were either closing or had closed by the time of the inspections.)
In around 76% of the inspections, reports were raised about potential fire hazards – that’s three quarters of the industry in Scotland.
Some admittedly were minor issues, but it’s not really a figure we should be happy about.
David Watson of Firestop Sprinkler Systems said: “We all know about the weakest link in the chain - it could be that only a minor matter is what it takes to start a fire.
You might have done the risk assessments, planned your evacuation and all the rest, but it only takes one rogue member of staff – or a resident for that matter – and it could still all end in disaster.
Let me quote to you what the owner of a care home down south said recently.
Mr Richard Dickenson of Rangemore Nursing Home in Cheshire said – and I quote: ‘Nursing homes are inspected by more government authorities than most other industries.
Why? Not because they all need something to do!
It’s because we look after very vulnerable people; the elderly, the infirm and bedridden.
Looking at what could happen, I have taken the opportunity to install a sprinkler system.
Initially I was sceptical – pipe work all over the place, nozzles through ceilings etc etc.
However I studied things more deeply and my local fire safety officer gave me a good insight into what putting a sprinkler system would mean.
What price a life? The initial cost seems a lot, but think of cheaper insurance premiums.
The containment of any fire to a single room (means) therefore the rest of the home is not affected.
And saving a resident’s life has a knock on effect, proving that we are committed to caring for each individual.
All this means peace of mind for the residents, their families, the staff, the proprietor – and of course the inspecting agencies.”
Cheshire Fire Service which is the enforcing authority for the home said: ‘Sprinklers are the ultimate control measure – as well as giving peace of mind – they provide you with real, all round fire protection.’
If only more care home owners felt the same way!”
When we launched the Firestop website earlier this year, we thought we would report on our news pages any fires where sprinklers might have made a difference to the outcome.
Little did we realise that would never keep up with the number of fires happening every day, day after day, many of them fatal.
Added David: “It’s amazing how many serious fires get hardly a mention in the media.
So let me concentrate your minds and give you some examples of recent fires involving care homes in the past few weeks.”
On Tuesday October 3rd 2006, fire broke out at Stewton House Nursing Home in Louth, near Newark at 9.30pm
Elderly residents were evacuated after a pile of linen caught fire.
The linen and the shelves it was on were damaged - and there was smoke damage in the immediate area.
More recently, on 16th November 2006, pensioners were evacuated when fire broke out at a care home on the Isle of Harris.
The fire broke out shortly before midnight and ambulances and a doctor attended along with the fire service.
Three residents needed medical checks.
On November 28th 2006, ten residents were killed and 18 taken to hospital in an early morning fire at a home for the elderly in south west Missouri.
One of the dead was a care worker.
The home had fire alarms, but not sprinklers.
(The blaze was one of the worst fires in the USA since a dementia patient set fire to her bed, causing 16 deaths at a care home in Connecticut in 2003.
Later in the same year, 15 patients were killed at a home in Nashville.)
None of the USA homes involved had sprinklers.
On 24th November 2006, a 29 year old man died in a fire in a care home in Potter Bar.
Other residents were evacuated, while ten fire appliances attended, together with six ambulances.
The home was run by Herts County Council and had no sprinklers.
And of course we will all have heard of the two separate fires in Russia in which 45 and nine people respectively were killed in two separate fires in two hospitals.
It’s not the safest part of the world we know and there’s no Care Commission checking up on things, but it’s still a terrible tragedy for all concerned.
So you can see that fire safety is still a real issue in our homes – and it’s not going to go away – until sprinklers are mandatory in every establishment.
61 RESIDENTS EVACUATED IN BRISTOL CARE HOME BLAZE
Fire fighters raced to save the lives of 61 residents after fire broke out in the basement of a new £15 million care home in Bedminster, Bristol.
The early morning fire described as "severe", broke out in Monica Wills House, in a basement area used as a car park.
The building was only two months old and was fitted with sprinklers throughout the residential areas, but not in the basement area.
The new complex was designed to accomodate around 150 people, but many of the rooms were not yet occupied.
Chief Fire Officer Keith Pearson said: "I am absolutely convinced that had it not been for the sprinkler system and fire safety measures in the building, we would have seen scores of lives lost this morning.
Sprinklers in the rooms of the first floor activated immediately as the intense heat rose from the car park below.
The sprinklers therefore helped to contain the fire while we carried out a search and rescue operation."
Contractors working on a nearby building and local residents joined with fire fighters in the rescue operation.
The fire service and building control officers had recommended to the architects that a sprinkler system be installed during the building's design process.
Some residents, who had only moved into the complex in October, were taken to hospital, whilst other were evacuated into other residential homes in the area.
The St Monica Trust, which runs the complex, was trying to assess the damage to the virtually new facility, to see when residents might return to their homes.
FAMOUS CURRY HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE
One of Glasgow's best known restaurants, the Cafe India, has been completely destroyed by fire.
The spectacular blaze could be seen for miles as Christmas shoppers watched fire fighters trying to prevent the blaze from spreading to adjacent properties, including the city's Mitchell Library.
The venue was to host dozens of Christmas parties which now will have to be cancelled or rebooked in other restaurants.
It is believed that the fire started in a coal fired oven used to bake bread.
David Watson of Firestop Sprinkler Systems Ltd said: "We have a sprinkler system specially designed to protect catering establishments from this kind of fire.
We can protect cooker hoods and other areas at high risk from fire.
Our system could have protected these premises and it would have been business as usual over Christmas for all concerned."
YOU'RE FIRED!
Our favourite fire story from 2006 is the one in which West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service managed not only to burn down their own fire station, but also destroy their own fire engine.
But the best bit is – not only did the burning fire station have no sprinklers – it didn’t even have a fire alarm!
The fire is thought to have been caused by 'an electrical fault'.
However the serious issue is that not only will taxpayers have to pick up the bill – that’s you and me of course – but the fire almost spread to an adjacent ambulance control centre as well.
The fire chief described it as “embarrassing”.
Mmm - just a tad...
2007 SHAPES UP BADLY SO FAR...
Our hopes that 2007 would be a safer year for fires didn't last for long.
A pensioner was killed and another was in a critical condition after two serious fires in Liverpool.
Another pensioner in the same area suffered from smoke inhalation when his TV went up in flames.
An elderly woman died after being rescued from a fire in her home in Ashington in Northumbria.
It's thought that an electrical fault or a cigarette could have caused the blaze.
Meanwhile in Scotland, the world famous Buttery Restaurant in the west end of Glasgow has been badly damaged after fire broke out in its kitchens.
The restaurant first opened in 1869 and was recently rated seventh best place to eat in the world in an international guide.
Also in Glasgow, a 74 year old woman was killed in a fire in her ground floor flat in Partick.
A man also aged 74, died after fire swept through his home in Linwood near Paisley.
An eighteen year old teenager died in a fire in a semi detached home in Livingston.
A cigarette is believed to have started the blaze, although investigations are also being centered on a fax machine which had recently been installed close to the source of the fire.
An elderly man has died in a fire in his home in Eltham, London.
Around 50% of the two storey house was destroyed.
In Birmingham, Christmas dinner for over 100 people was scrapped after fire destroyed the manor house HQ of the West Midlands Safari Park.
All computer systems and files were destroyed in the two storey building which was too dangerous for fire investigators to enter.
In Southend, a large bungalow was completely destroyed when a TV set burst into flames just after it was put into stand-by condition.
The fire quickly spread to the curtains and fire fighters were unable to save any of the property, except the garage.
And just to complete the tale of misery and destruction, vandals set fire to Kilmarnock Signalling centre, which caused disruption to all trains between Glasgow, Dumfries and Carlisle for at least the next two weeks.
The signalling centre, which also controls coal trains between Ayrshire and a number of power stations around the UK, was almost completely destroyed.
All control of points and signals in the area was lost.
Ironically, British Transport Police had launched a high profile campaign against vandalism over the Christmas holiday period
Fire fighters responded to a "severe blaze" which destroyed the well known Ashoka Restaurant in Kirkintilloch.
Crews had to withdraw from the building because of fears that the roof would collapse.
A 54 year old man died in Bessbrook Co Armagh in a fire thought to be started by candles.
The man's mother and brother managed to escape the house, which had a smoke alarm with no battery fitted in it.
A double glazing fitter had a lucky escape when fire broke out in his Tyneside home.
Terry Carter was given oxygen after the fire broke out when a storage heater ignited some silk cloth next to it.
Flats in Coventry were evacuated after arsonists set fire to a bin store causing smoke to enter the homes.
A 51 year old woman was killed in a fire in a multi-storey block of flats in Dumbarton.
Fire fighters pulled her from the flames, but she died later in hospital.
Another woman aged 73 died in a fire in Alness, Ross-shire.
Hazel Hume lived with her husband in the house in the town's Salveson Crescent.
A 62 year old man died when fire broke out in his bungalow in Fearn, Easter Ross.
Crews used breathing apparatus to enter the house, but the man was already dead.
A historic house in Stirlingshire has been destroyed, as 30 fire fighters battled with gale force winds.
Larbert House, a mansion overlooking Loch Larbert in the grounds of the Royal Scottish National Hospital, was a B-listed building.
AND THE CARNAGE GOES ON...
Two people died in a "horrific" fire in a tenement building in Fraserburgh which spread to the stair well as residents smashed their windows to get some fresh air.
A local builder used his 60 foot ladder to rescue some residents from the roof of the four storey building before the fire services arrived.
Four people were taken to hospital and two bodies were later recovered from the building.
A young couple leapt from a first floor roof when flames ripped through the shop below their home in Birmingham.
No smoke detectors were fitted to the premises.
An 18 storey block of flats in Lodge Road, Hockney was evacuated after a severe fire broke out on the 15th floor.
A man was treated for smoke inhalation and rescuers dodged flying glass falling from the windows of the flats above.
Fire fighters struggled to fight a fire at a recycling depot in Middlesbrough.
Around 300 tons of waste wood caught fire as crews tried to save adjacent plant and materials.
Flames engulfed the Leather World showroom in Birmingham causing tens of thousands of pounds of damage to the building and its stock.
Investigations into the blaze are continuing.
An elderly couple have been found dead after flames swept through their bungalow in Wolverhampton.
Sam and Elsie Carpenter - thought to be brother and sister - were found in separate rooms and efforts to resuscitate both of them failed.
They were pronounced dead at the scene of the fire.
A 21 year old man was rescued after a blaze broke out in the Hotel California in Tranmere, Wirral.
The hotel bar and its first and second floors were badly damaged by smoke.
Fire fighters spent four hours battling a fire in a bakery in Harrogate, which then spread to a nearby vehicle repair shop.
Around 50% of the building was severely damaged and it's thought that the fire was started by an electrical fault.
A five year old girl is said to be "critical" after being rescued from a fire at her grand mother's house.
The blaze swept through the house in west Belfast at around midnight as she slept.
Fire fighters were called to the Gleneagles Hotel, Southport after a fire was discovered in a utility room.
Breathing apparatus and thermal imaging equipment were used to fight the fire, which is thought to have started in a tumble drier.
Around 90 fire fighters have been tackling a blaze in a furniture warehouse in Lydd, Kent
Propane cylinders were removed from the site as the building became engulfed in flames and threatened to spread to other industrial units.
Meantime in Mirfield, Yorkshire, an industrial unit was badly damaged in a fire attended by six units.
Around a third of the building was destroyed.
In Rochford, Kent, fire fighters had to withdraw from tackling a fire in a tyre warehouse, because of the intensity of the smoke and flames.
A disc cutter had to be used to cut into the building to get access to the seat of the fire.
Over 50% of the building was destroyed.
An unidentified man has been found dead after a fire in a third floor flat in Whiteinch in Glasgow.
No one else was in the flat and an investigation into the fire has begun.
Around 4,500 chickens perished when fire destroyed wooden buildings in which they were kept at a farm near Kelso.
Local residents were advised to keep windows and doors shut as weedkillers and insecticides were also stored in the buildings.
Eight flats in Cupar had to be evacuated when fire broke out in the block's stairwell.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
The Social Work HQ of Stirling Council - Drummond House - has been badly damaged by fire.
The first floor was completely destroyed and the other floors were damaged by smoke and water.
A woman and her three children escaped from an early morning fire at their home in Blantyre.
A man, woman and five children fled from their home in Livingston in a late night blaze.
Ten people, including a family of five have been rescued from a blazing tenement in Paisley.
A 44 year old mother of three died in a fire at her home in Linwood.
Her teenage daughter ran screaming to try and help her mother, but she was too late to save her.
Thirty fire fighters fought to save a bungalow from fire in Takeley in Hertfordshire.
The red sandstone building was completely destroyed.
A quality fire sprinkler system could have prevented the loss of lives and injuries sustained in virtually all these fires.
Fitting fire sprinklers changes the risk of fire becoming a catastrophe to a minor inconvenience.
WILL 2007 BE THE YEAR THAT YOU DECIDE TO FIT A FIRESTOP SPRINKLER SYSTEM TO YOUR PROPERTY?
Fire stories from 2006...
House builders urged to install sprinklers - Evening Times
New name for Sprinkler Association - Announcement
When Branston got itself in a pickle...
New sprinkler laws in Scotland
Fire Sprinklers would have saved school
Fire Destroys Ingliston Showground Offices
Sprinklers Save Home and Factory
Central Fire Brigade calls for sprinklers
Scotland's Terrible Fire Statistics
Sprinklers Join the Fight against fire
Call for Fire Sprinklers in Schools
Sprinklers save Belfast Shopping Centre
Police investigate destruction of warehouse
Families flee fire in Glasgow High Rise
Riverside Hotel Destroyed by Fire
Buncefield Fire Disastrous for Local Businesses
Fire Destroys Irish Tyre Depot
Historic Church Destroyed in Fire
Eight Year Old Leaps for her Life in Glasgow Fire
70 Year Old Woman Burned in House Fire
Southwick House Destroyed by Fire
Fort William Restaurant Complex gutted in Blaze
Now here's a pair who need FIRESTOP Sprinklers…
Mother and Daughter Die in Burning Bedroom
Waltham Cross Warehouses Destroyed
Shops Destroyed in Basildon Fire
Glasgow Fire Causes £3 Million of Damage
Three Die in Manchester House Fire
Many Reptiles Perish in Skye Blaze
Fire Breaks out at Sheltered Accommodation
Neighbours From Hell Destroy Nine Houses
Blaze Destroys Records Storage Warehouse
Three Rescued in Coventry Flat Blaze
Sheffield Bakery Destroyed by Fire
Launch of New Website to Encourage Sprinkler Use
Let's Put some Safety into these Grand Designs...
Website Launched Setting Out Fire Responsibilities Under new Act
Did You get your Laptop from 'Dell Boy'?
Care Home Owners Ordered to Appear at the High Court
Firefighters Hurt in Bangor Fire
Fire Claims Life in Homeless Unit
Fresh Call for Sprinklers in Schools
Lancashire Pub Destroyed in Fire
Birmingham Workshop Destroyed in Fire
Bollywood Spice Hotter than Usual
Retired Barrister rescued from Arson Attack
Firefighters Fight Manchester Factor Blaze
Fire Damages Seafront Property in Rhyl
Fire Chief Hits Out at Retailers and Councils
Fire Fighters Save Southend School from Arson Attack
Major Fire at Royal Academy London
Four Evacuated from Fire in Restaurant
Woman and Child Flee Maisonette Fire
Arson at Luxury Loch Lomond Hotel
Suffolk School Damaged in Fire
Fire Rages Through 19th Century Cathedral
Explosion & Fire At Gloucestershire Chemical Plant
Two Boys Killed in Angelsey Fire
Six Children Die in Chicago Fire
Proms Concert Cancelled after Albert Hall Fire
Residents Evacuated in Nursing Home Blaze
Pensioner Dies in Glasgow Fire
Hugh Blaze Destroys Tyre Depot
It's Not Just Humans who Need Sprinkler Systems…
Primary School Destroyed by Fire
Firestop Sprinkler Systems to Sponsor Fire College Facility
Even these Guys could do with Fire Sprinklers
Fire Guts Thatched Roof Restaurant
Medical Supplies Destroyed in Warehouse Blaze
Durham Couple Rescued from Basement Fire
Fire Breaks out in Southend Flats
Birmingham Nightclub Destroyed in Blaze
FIRESTOP attends Scottish Care Exhibition
HOUSE builders in Glasgow will be urged to install sprinklers in every new property in a bid to cut the city's death toll from fire.
Evening Times 28/01/2006
And postcards are to be sent to every home in the city urging people to give up cigarettes.
The call comes as fears grow more people will opt to smoke and drink at home when the ban on smoking in enclosed public places comes into force on March 26.
A recent report by HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland revealed that between 2003 and 2005 lighters, matches and cigarettes were responsible for 46% of all fires in homes.
According to fire chiefs, a total of 10 people in Glasgow died in blazes in 2004/05 as a result of smoking.
It is understood dozens more were injured with the final bill for dealing with smoking-related fires in excess of £7million.
Within the next couple of months he is hoping to meet major house builders in a bid to persuade them to include sprinkler systems as standard in all new homes.
His call has been backed by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue which says sprinklers would save lives.
In Strathclyde, more than twice as many people die in fires in their homes than anywhere else in the country, with late night chip pan fires being one of the main causes.
Councillor Coleman said: "The council now has a deliberate policy of having sprinklers in all our new schools because in the event of a fire, instead of losing a whole school, we may just lose a classroom.
"Now we want to take things to the next stage and are going to start discussions with the construction industry and ask them to put sprinklers into all new build houses in Glasgow. That would save a lot of lives and a lot of property and a lot of the cost would be offset by a reduction in household insurance bills. "
"Now that smoke alarms are a feature of every home, the next step in improving safety is to have sprinklers installed. "
"The brigade believes every new house should have a sprinkler system and that systems which can be fitted in existing homes should be made cheaper."
Fire chiefs are known to be angry at adverts which show sprinkler systems virtually flooding properties when activated.
The spokesman said: "It is a myth sprinkler systems flood the house because only the sprinkler head nearest the fire will go off."
"Sprinklers save lives and would go a long way to solving the very bad record of fire deaths in Glasgow and Strathclyde."
Chip pan fires are still a major problem in the city, but the spokesman said even a blazing chip pan would be extinguished by a sprinkler.
Evening Times 28/01/2006
NEW NAME FOR SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION
The British Automatic Sprinkler Association is changing its name for 2006.
From now on, it will be known as the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association to focus more on its core objectives which are:
“To promote the greater and more efficient use of automatic sprinkler and other systems using water as a means of the control and extinguishment of fires.”
Chairman Peter Armstrong of BASFA as it is now known said, “The interest shown in the benefits of sprinkler protection not just the fire and rescue services, building control departments, education authorities and by government in general is very welcome.
“Over the 30 years, we have held conferences, promoted seminars and education sessions for a wide range of groups.
“In 1994 we commissioned and independent report on the uses and benefits of sprinklers known as ‘The Arup Report’ after its authors.
“For 2006, we have launched an updated version by Arup Fire, the specialist subsidiary of Arup Consulting, called “Sprinkler for Safety”.
The report deals with:
- Current UK fire safety guidance documents and accepted design trade-offs permitted with sprinklers
- Sprinkler and the fire engineering approach
- Design fire sizes and the effect of sprinklers
- Residential sprinklers systems
- Cost versus benefits of automatic sprinkler installation
The report also goes on to state that:
62% of reported fires were controlled by a single sprinkler head
96.3% of reported fires were controlled by ten or fewer sprinkler heads
However these figures only relate to reported fires and it is likely that when a fire is extinguished quickly by a single sprinkler head, in many cases it is not reported or recorded.
Copies of the report are available from:
BAFSA,
Richmond House,
Broad Street,
Ely,
Cambridgeshire
CB7 3AH
WHEN BRANSTON GOT ITSELF IN A PICKLE…
When Branston Pickles disappeared from supermarket shelves last year, it wasn’t because they were sold out, it was because of a catastrophic fire at the factory.
In a severe blaze, it’s thought that heat from a halogen lamp ignited plastic packaging and the resulting fire all but destroyed the factory.
It took 150 fire fighters to put out the fire and although no one was hurt, 300 workers suddenly had no jobs, all production facilities were destroyed and sales across the UK were badly hit.
Now if only the pickle people had fitted a sprinkler system, we would all be tucking in as usual and Premier Foods and their insurers would not still be counting the costs of not doing it!
NEW SPRINKLER LAWS IN SCOTLAND
Scotland is leading the way in introducing legislation for the installation of sprinkler systems on high risk residential properties.
Michael Mathieson MSP has introduced a bill which will mean the installation of sprinkler systems in high rise flats and homes accommodating vulnerable people.
Concern has also been expressed by the Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council Councillor Jim Coleman who has urged house builders in Glasgow to install sprinklers to cut the city’s death toll from fire.
As well as being concerned about the existing fire death toll in Glasgow, Councillor Coleman is worried that the ban on smoking in enclosed public places introduced across Scotland in March 2006 will encourage some people to drink and smoke more at home, rather than their local pub.
According to Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service, 10 people lost their lives in Glasgow in 2004/2005 in smoking related fires.
HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland estimated that careless smoking of cigarettes was responsible for 46% of all fire deaths in homes between 2003 and 2005.
Councillor Coleman hopes to meet house builders soon to persuade them of the value of sprinklers and his campaign is backed by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service.
Said Councillor Coleman, “Glasgow now has a policy of having sprinklers in all our new schools and in the event of a fire, we might lose one classroom rather than the whole school.
“Now we want take things to the next stage and ask builders to put sprinklers in all new homes in Glasgow.”
(Based on a report in the Glasgow Evening Times)
They might only be made of modelling clay, but it has cost Norwich Union £100,000 to replace Nick Park’s famous ‘Chicken Run’ pie machine, plus another £6,000 to replace two other models lost when fire destroyed the warehouse in which they were stored.
The disastrous fire which destroyed the Aardman HQ in a Grade Two listed building in Bristol, together with all its contents, is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault.
The building was wrecked and left as a burnt out shell when the roof collapsed into it.
Dozens of celebrity clay models built up over thirty years by Aardman, including Tony Hart’s Morph from BBC children’s tv, the Creature Comforts characters and the Lurpak butter man, were completely destroyed in the fire.
Kieran Argo, head of exhibitions at Aardman said: “The work involved in making a ‘Wallace’ or ‘Gromit’ model is very time consuming for a small group of model makers.
On top of this, different materials such as silicone rubber and foam latex are moulded and used to make items of clothing and shoes.
We were devastated when the fire occurred and our precious collection had been lost”.
The total insurance settlement by Aardman’s insurers Norwich Union for the loss of the building has not been disclosed.
Now if only Wallace and Gromit had fitted a FIRESTOP Sprinkler System, things could have been so much different…
FIRE SPRINKLERS WOULD HAVE SAVED SCHOOL
Fire fighters say they believe a school fire was started deliberately on a “mindless act of vandalism”.
The Croes Atti School in Flint, north Wales was extensively damaged in the blaze.
Fire Safety Enforcement Officer Millington of North Wales Fire Service said:
“It’s terrible to see such a mindless act of vandalism resulting in the loss of the children’s work and creating severe disruption to their education.
If this school had been fitted with fire sprinklers, there would have been no problems.
Fire Sprinklers can deal with any fire – even arson!”
The fire destroyed all the children’s work as well as toys used by a playgroup inside the building.
Primary Head Teacher Jeanette Gordon could hardly believe the message which came on her Fireman husband’s pager – her school was burning down!
Her husband was one of around 40 fire fighters who rushed to the fire which destroyed much of Denholm Primary School in Roxburghshire.
Jeanette was preparing to start her school day when her husband’s pager went off with the dreadful news about her school.
The alarm was raised by the school caretaker when flames appeared in the games area.
Fire crews attended from Galashiels, Hawick, Edinburgh and Jedburgh.
Three classrooms as well as the games area were destroyed and the rest of the school was badly affected.
It is expected that the damage will run to “hundreds of thousands of pounds”.
A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council said: “It is an excellent school which had received a first class report from HM Inspectorate of Schools.
The damage is significant, but it’s too early to say what will happen.”
Fireman continued to damp down the fire and deal with roof tiles which appeared to contain asbestos.
Traffic was diverted from the area for most of the day.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: “This is exactly the kind of fire that a sprinkler system would have stopped dead in its tracks.
Fitting sprinklers systems in our schools would stop both accidental and deliberate fires causing so much distress and disruption.
I would urge local councils to think very seriously about the cost benefits of sprinklers in the long term and think about installing sprinklers in every school.”
FIRE DESTROYS INGLISTON SHOWGROUND OFFICES
Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade have been fighting a huge fire at the Royal Highland Ingliston Showground Offices, near Edinburgh.
Fire Fighters used two 162,000 litre mobile water tankers to fight the blaze which has caused extensive damage to the building.
It's thought that the fire started late on Monday evening and it took more than ten hours to bring it under control.
No one was hurt and investigations into the fire are continuing.
A spokeswoman from the Lothian and Borders Fire Service said: "This has been a serious fire which has caused extensive damage."
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: "This is exactly the kind of situation where a sprinkler system would have stopped the fire immediately, even though the building was unattended and the fire occurred late at night.
Now the Showground and its insurers are facing the total loss of the building and its contents, rather than a minor clean up had sprinklers been installed."
SPRINKLERS SAVE HOME AND FACTORY
The Sprinkler Engineers' Society have reported two sprinkler stops for April.
On 4th April 2006, at 19.30 hours, fire broke out in a wheelie bin in a block of residential flats in Corby, Northants.
Two sprinkler heads were triggered, putting out the fire immediately.
After being evacuated safely, the residents were allowed back into their flats within the hour.
On 12th April 2006, fire broke out in the varnish/paint shop extraction unit of a furniture manufacturer in Ellen, West Yorkshire.
What could have been a very nasty fire indeed, was suppressed by 18 sprinkler heads opening, putting the fire out in minutes.
The premises were reoccupied within four hours.
CENTRAL FIRE BRIGADE CALLS FOR SPRINKLERS
Central Scotland Fire Service is calling for the fitting of domestic fire sprinklers in homes in the brigade's area covering Clackmannan, Falkirk and Stirling.
Station Officer John Neville for the brigade said: "Central Scotland Fire Service is fully committed to ensuring that the communities we serve are given the best possible information regarding fire safety in the home.
With this in mind, the Service is at the forefront of pushing forward the concept of fitting domestic and residential sprinklers in homes in the Central Scotland Area.
We hosted an international conference last November to demonstrate new types of sprinklers which draw water from the mains supply, which makes for easier maintenance.
We are also a member of the Residential Sprinkler Association.
Together with other public and private sector companies, want to see all homes fitted with sprinklers."
Added SO Neville: "It used to be we installed sprinklers to save property.
Now we are installing them in homes where we can save lives."
In the USA, sprinklers in domestic and residential properties have been accepted in some states and statistics prove that they definitely save lives and prevent destruction of properties.
Technology is rapidly developing both in the UK and the USA and systems are being designed for retrofitting into existing properties, as well as in new builds.
Within the Service area, sprinkler systems have been fitted and tested and a wide number of properties are now being fitted out.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: "It's great to see the fire service endorsing the fitting of sprinkler systems in domestic homes.
We know that we could slash the UK's terrible fire death toll of 600 people per annum to virtually zero if we had sprinklers fitted to properties.
We could also prevent the distress and losses caused, when fire sweeps through someone's home."
He continued: "I'd like to see the insurance companies taking a lead here by encouraging the fitting of sprinkler systems with substantial discounts in house insurance premiums, as the savings to them in pay outs could be simply massive."
SCOTLAND'S TERRIBLE FIRE STATISTICS
Scotland's terrible fire death toll over the past 12 months has been revealed by the Scottish Executive.
The death toll is 111, with 2,300 injured.
85 people died in 76 house fires across Scotland.
Out of the 76 houses which caught fire, only six smoke alarms appeared to operate properly - out of the other 38, 15 had the battery missing and three had flat batteries.
34 fatal fires started in the living room, 21 in the bedroom and 13 in the kitchen.
Foam filled furniture contributed to 14 fatal fires.
In the UK last year, 3,100 people were killed or injured in maliciously started fires.
There were no deaths in commercial or industrial buildings.
Scotland's Chief Inspector of Fire Services Dennis Davies said: I am disheartened by the number of deaths that could have been prevented by a working smoke alarm."
Said Mr Davis: "Brigades are continuing to seek improvements in the quality of service they provide.
We have expanded still further in the area of prevention and mitigation of fire, especially in the home and we have many have innovative fire safety programmes. "
SPRINKLERS JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST FIRE
Sprinkler systems specially designed for homes will save lives and reduce injuries, say fire chiefs.
Divisional Officer David Smith of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service said: "Smoke detectors are a major factor in reducing fire deaths, but they can only give an early warning of fire, they won't stop the fire happening or developing.
The combination of a sprinkler system and smoke detectors will reduce fire deaths and horrific injuries whilst limiting fire damage and the huge costs involved.
Only sprinklers will attack the fire and save vulnerable people."
DO Smith added: "Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service is campaigning for legislation for sprinklers in new homes and it also supports fitting sprinklers when refurbishment takes place.
Residential Fire Sprinklers will save lives."
CALL FOR SPRINKLERS IN SCHOOLS
The President of the Chief Fire Officers Association Tom Carroll has called for sprinkler systems to be fitted in all schools.
In England and Wales more than 1,300 schools suffer fires large enough to need the fire service to attend - that's around 25 a week.
Mr Carroll said: "I believe the case for sprinklers is stronger now than at any time.
Schools are still experiencing fires at an alarming rate and in some areas, over half the fires occur when the school is occupied.
It's estimated that school fire damage in England and Wales tops £100 million each year.
So this month we are launching a report which calls for sprinklers to be installed in schools as part of the Schools for the Future Campaign."
Added Mr Carroll: "The effects on our communities and our children when a school is lost is far greater than simply the rebuilding costs."
SPRINKLERS SAVE BELFAST SHOPPING CENTRE
A sprinkler system operating after a fire broke out in a Belfast Shopping Centre is believed to have saved the complex.
Fire broke out in the oven flues of Burger King in the Yorkgate complex resulting in business and customers being evacuated from the centre.
Assistant Commander John Langtry said: "Our initial concern was that this is a large multi-occupancy complex and there was a lot going on at the time.
The restaurant was quite smoke logged and we called in ten fire appliances, an aerial platform and a command support centre after we found a reasonably well developed fire.
People arriving with reservations for the cinema were amongst those evacuated.
The fire started in a kitchen flue in Burger King and was going through different compartments in the building.
However the sprinkler system came on which slowed the progress of the fire and the only damage done is the effect of smoke and water in the restaurant."
POLICE INVESTIGATE DESTRUCTION OF WAREHOUSE
Police are investigating a fire which gutted a warehouse in County Durham owned by Excell Food and Drink.
Flames raced through the building for over two hours and most of the warehouse and its contents - believed to be toiletries - was destroyed.
The company employs 15 staff and sells to independent food and drink stores.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: "This kind of fire could have been a minor incident if a proper sprinkler system had been fitted.
Instead, the building and its contents have been virtually destroyed with the adverse effects that will have on the business and its insurers."
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but police are thought to suspect an arson attack.
FAMILIES FLEE FIRE IN GLASGOW HIGH RISE
Families had to flee for their lives as fire swept through a Glasgow high rise block.
The fire broke out at around 2am in the block at Katrine Tower, Maryhill.
Firefighters managed to save two people from the fifth floor and other residents living in adjacent flats were also evacuated.
Flames and thick smoke spread rapidly along the burnt out corridor of the fifth floor.
The Scottish Parliament is planning to make the fitting of sprinkler systems to control such fires in high rise blocks mandatory.
RIVERSIDE HOTEL DESTROYED BY FIRE
The Riverside Hotel in Streatley in Berkshire, has been badly damaged in a fierce fire which broke out just before evening meals were being prepared.
Fire crews used twelve appliances to fight the blaze, but much of the building was destroyed.
It took three hours to bring the fire under control and crews had to spend the next few hours damping down the building to make it safe.
One fire fighter was injured and taken to hospital.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: “This valuable commercial property and all its business has been virtually destroyed when a properly installed sprinkler system would have dealt with the fire quickly at its source.”
It’s thought that the fire started in a store room, before spreading to a recently renovated spa area, from which it spread on to the roof space, causing severe damage to the building.
BUNCEFIELD FIRE DISASTROUS FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
The latest stage of the investigations into the largest UK explosion and fire since the Second World War has indicated that systems failures caused a large storage tank at the Buncefield Depot at Hemel Hempstead to overfill and leak, which was the catalyst for the inferno that followed.
However whilst the public and media attention was focused on the spectacular blaze and smoke plume, which could be seen from outer space, businesses situated nearby were counting the costs as they stood outside the cordon, wondering if anything was left of their premises.
Local reports were indicating that up to 4,000 jobs could be affected in various ways as stocks were destroyed, together with company records.
A fashion chain lost all its pre-Christmas stock, a drinks company lost millions in spirits and liqueurs and in a bizarre twist, the Richers Sounds and New Labour websites disappeared when a server in one of the buildings belonging to a major IT company was destroyed.
Currys and Dixons lost their central admin offices.
New research commissioned after the Buncefield incident has shown that 30% of UK Finance Directors said that they would never recover if their paper business documents were destroyed in a fire and a further 32% said it would take a minimum of six months to recover.
This is despite 60% of organisations claiming to have business continuity plans in place.
The survey also revealed that losing paper records in a fire could:
“Cause the business to go under…”
“Be catastrophic…”
“Be a nightmare…”
“Result in redundancies…”
“Make it virtually impossible to chase debt…”
Tony Bray of Version One software which commissioned the survey said: “Many organisations think that disasters just won’t happen to them, which is extremely alarming.”
Digby Jones of the CBI said: “I am concerned at the lack of business continuity plans at the depot and there is some evidence to suggest not many companies have computer back ups and other financial records stored off site.”
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: "Whilst nothing could have protected the buildings which took the full force of the blast, sprinkler systems would protect other buildings from suffering from secondary fires breaking out and from subsequent destruction."
FIRE DESTROYS IRISH TYRE DEPOT
A devastating blaze has destroyed the Kinsale Rubber Company’s Headquarters in Ireland.
A huge blaze could be seen from more than two miles away as the buildings and their contents erupted into flames.
Over thirty fire fighters struggled to control the blaze and by the following morning, only the shell of the building remained.
There were no fatalities or injuries, but the work force was left wondering what their future would be.
The Gardai and Fire Service are to launch an investigation into the fire.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems Ltd said: “We don’t know what caused this fire, but a properly installed sprinkler system would help to stop any fire in a warehouse situation, particularly where volatile products are stored.
Having a sprinkler system can make the difference between dealing with a minor incident in contrast to a total loss of business, including all its products, IT systems and records.”
He added: “After any fire like this, customers begin to think about alternative suppliers as normal trade is disrupted while the company tries to recover its trading position.”
HISTORIC CHURCH DESTROYED IN FIRE
One of the most historic buildings in Australia, St Barnabas Church in Sydney, has been completely destroyed in an early morning fire.
The 148 year old church contained one of the oldest church organs in Australia, itself valued at more than $1 million.
Nearby apartments and backpacker hostels were evacuated as local people fled the fire.
Ironically, the comparatively modern UniLodge block, which houses around 600 people behind the church was saved, because the sprinkler system installed there triggered, which stopped the fire from spreading to it.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: “Here is a graphic example of a building being saved, which initially was not involved in the fire at all.
When are the Insurance Companies going to wake up to the colossal waste of money they are incurring to compensate for the loss of unprotected buildings?
Would it not be better to offer better inducements to insurers to install sprinkler systems to prevent the damage being done in the first place?”
EIGHT YEAR OLD LEAPS FOR HER LIFE IN GLASGOW FIRE
Eight year old Chloe McClure leaped for her life from a window as her Glasgow home was on fire.
She had become trapped by the fire with her mother and jumped fifteen feet into the arms of her father in the street below.
Her mother was rescued by ladder by fire fighters.
Said Chloe: “I was really scared and mum and I couldn’t get out of the front door.
I was screaming when I was on the ledge and I jumped.
I am really sad because my bike has been burned by the fire.”
It’s thought that the fire started when rubbish was set alight in the stairwell of the flats in the Gallowgate area and smoke and flames quickly spread to the flats above.
The other residents escaped, but a 53 year old woman was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.
70 YEAR OLD WOMAN BURNED IN HOUSE FIRE
A woman of 70 was burned when fire broke out in the bathroom of her home in Saffron Walden.
The house was covered in smoke and fire fighters had to wear breathing apparatus to make a rescue by using three hose reels and a thermal imaging camera.
Assistant Divisional Officer Wilson said: “We attacked the fire from the loft spaces of the adjoining property which stopped the fire from spreading to other homes.”
The woman was made homeless by the fire and is being looked after by Social Services.
SOUTHWICK HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE
A house in Southwick was destroyed in a late night blaze.
Four appliances attended and flames erupted from first floor windows.
Fire crews used breathing apparatus to search the property, but there was no one in the building.
The first floor was severely damaged by the fire.
A spokesman for West Sussex Fire and Rescue service said: “The flat did have a smoke alarm fitted, but the battery had been removed.
Had the occupier of the flat been at home during the fire, loss of life could have occurred.
Batteries should never be removed from smoke alarms unless a new one is being fitted immediately.”
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: “A properly fitted smoke alarm will tell you that your house is on fire.
However a FIRESTOP Sprinkler System will deal with the fire before it becomes serious.
We protect goods and equipment in warehouses and industrial complexes with sprinklers and yet we don’t protect our families and homes.
I urge people to think about fitting a FIRESTOP Sprinkler System when they are building new homes or renovating older ones.
Any fire can devastate lives and property and yet a sprinkler system will prevent damage within seconds of a fire breaking out.”
FORT WILLIAM RESTAURANT COMPLEX GUTTED IN BLAZE
Fire has swept through a restaurant and night club complex in Fort William.
More than 30 fire fighters attended the blaze on the town’s High Street, when McTavish’s Kitchens was found to be ablaze in the late night inferno.
Properties adjacent, including the Grand Hotel, had to be evacuated.
A spokesperson for the Northern Constabulary said: “The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage and a full examination of the premises will be conducted by investigators.”
Appliances attended from Fort Augustus, Kinlochleven and Inverness as well as the Fort William crew.
The area around the High Street has been closed off.
NOW HERE’S A PAIR WHO NEED FIRESTOP SPRINKLERS…
A teenager and his dog managed to destroy a family home in Great Yarmouth whilst his parents were on holiday in Scotland.
Sean Davey, 18, put his washing in a basket on top of the family cooker, (as you do), and then accidentally knocked on one of the rings before leaving the house.
As if that wasn’t a bad enough recipe for disaster, he also left a bag of shopping next to the cooker.
Inevitably, the washing burst into flames, which quickly spread to engulf the bag of shopping which contained – you’ve guessed it – a can of deodorant.
A huge explosion followed which blew out the kitchen windows, damaged a wall and lifted the roof of the building causing at least £35,000 of damage.
Sean’s mother said: “He phoned us on holiday to say the house was on fire.
It’s ironic that the fire was started by the cooker as he can’t cook and only uses the microwave.
I am just grateful that he and the dog are alive and well.”
It’s reckoned that Sean’s washing spree caused £20,000 of structural damage and £15,000 of fire and smoke damage.
Later Sean said: “The dog must have jumped up and turned the cooker on.”
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER DIE IN BURNING BEDROOM
A mother and her daughter were killed during the night in a semi-detached house in Hampshire when they became trapped by their double glazed windows.
As flames raced through the house, Barbara Deauville grabbed her four year old daughter Olivia to escape, but she couldn’t find the key to unlock the bedroom’s double glazed windows.
The fire broke out in the downstairs lounge and a neighbour had dialled 999 for the emergency services to attend.
Mr Deauville managed to escape with his older daughter Sophia but had to be restrained from re-entering the burning building.
Fire fighters later removed the two bodies from the house.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinklers said: “Keeping double glazing locked in this way is a terrible thing to do, as the chances of you finding the key in a serious fire are minimal – you just don’t have time to start looking around for keys when smoke and flames are spreading.
Any home security system should involve you quickly escaping as much as preventing others from entering.
I would urge people to think hard about how they might escape from their home in an emergency.”
WALTHAM CROSS WAREHOUSES DESTROYED
Fire fighters from across London, Hertfordshire and Essex have been trying to contain a fire which destroyed a warehouse at Waltham Cross.
Thick black smoke emerged from the building as fire fighters were alerted to the fire by motorists on the nearby M25 motorway. 
It took around 18 hours to put out the blaze and the building was severely damaged.
This is the third blaze on the estate in as many weeks and the gatehouse building on the site was destroyed by fire the previous week.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinklers said: “These buildings were unoccupied when the fires broke out, but a proper sprinkler system could have saved them.
The buildings are likely to be demolished.
SHOPS DESTROYED IN BASILDON FIRE
A major fire has destroyed much of a shopping complex in Basildon
in Essex.
Flames raged through the “Pets at Home” retail unit with at least 50% of the roof on fire.
The fire was complicated by the fact that a large number of pets had to be rescued and cared for as the fire spread.
The fire is thought to have started at the rear of one of the shop units.
GLASGOW FIRE CAUSES £3 MILLION OF DAMAGE
A fire in one of Glasgow’s most prestigious buildings has caused at least £3 million of damage.
The West End building, which was formerly University of Glasgow Halls of Residence, had been converted into three town houses by builders who were on site at the time. 
The adjacent Barclay House residences had to be evacuated during the fire and a large pall of smoke drifted over the city.
Ian Robertson who was watching fire fighters tackle the blaze over several hours said: “It’s a shame – it is an old building and may have to be demolished.”
Local resident Lorna MacMillan said: “It’s a disaster – the building is beautiful and is a part of Glasgow’s history.
It took around 60 fire fighters most of the day to deal with the fire, which was fanned by a stiff breeze.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Fire Sprinklers said: “This is exactly the kind of building which should have fire sprinklers fitted.
It’s of historic interest and had the flats been occupied, they would have by their very nature been filled with expensive fittings and furniture.
I would urge all architects who are supervising this kind of project to think carefully about installing proper sprinkler systems at an early stage in their plans.”
THREE DIE IN MANCHESTER HOUSE FIRE
Three men, all brothers, have died after a house fire in Manchester.
Their house in the Old Trafford area was engulfed by flames, but the inferno is not thought to be suspicious.
A fourth brother was unhurt, but treated for shock.
A spokesperson for the fire service said: “We don’t think that the fire was started deliberately, however our investigations are just beginning.”
The street has been closed off to allow investigations to continue.
The property was not fitted with a smoke detector or alarm system.
The deaths of the brothers will be included in the shocking figure of around 600 fire related deaths in the UK each year.
MANY REPTILES PERISH IN SKYE BLAZE
A fire at the Skye Serpentarium has killed many reptiles as the owners made desperate efforts to save them.
Only a handful of snakes – including three baby pythons – are thought to have survived the fire. 
The owners, Catherine and Alex Shearer, run the breeding unit as a local tourist attraction and it housed up to 600 snakes and reptiles.
The dead creatures include two lizards previously thought to have been extinct and pythons over 20 years old.
Also lost in the blaze were the centre’s computers and files.
Said Mrs Shearer: “While we were waiting for the fire brigade, we tried to grab what we could, but the snakes were in plastic containers which melted and released black toxic fumes.”
It’s thought that the fire was caused by a faulty power socket.
Mrs Shearer indicated the she had “no idea” how their breeding programme would be affected.
FIRE BREAKS OUT AT SHELTERED ACCOMMODATION
The whole of a flat in a sheltered accommodation building in Essex has been destroyed by fire.
The building, known as Bardfield House, was badly damaged by flames and smoke. 
Station Officer Brian Harpers said: “When we arrived, we were confronted by a serious fire on the first floor.
It was incredibly hot in there and our people did a marvellous job in putting the fire out, considering the arduous conditions inside."
It’s thought the fire started in a sofa.
NEIGHBOURS FROM HELL DESTROY NINE HOUSES
Neighbours from Hell in Quebec’s Terrebonne area, managed to destroy not only their own home, but those of eight neighbours at a cost of around $1 million Canadian.
They were celebrating the festival of St Jean Baptiste Day by setting off fireworks when one of them landed on the roof of a house setting it on fire.
Around 40 fire fighters attended and around 50 people have been made homeless.
It is not known if any of the houses were insured.
BLAZE DESTROYS RECORDS STORAGE WAREHOUSE
Thousands of company records have been destroyed in a warehouse blaze in London.
Fire crews from Polar, Bow, Millwall, Paddington and Whitechapel stations raced to the scene as flames ripped through the building.
The building was used as a storage area for company records and its owners say they have “no idea” what has been lost, as the records belonged to other companies renting space there.
It took twenty appliances over 14 hours to contain the fire.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: “It is unthinkable that companies should trust their valuable records to a building that clearly did not have adequate fire protection.
A properly installed sprinkler system will contain a blaze of this kind at source and with minimal damage.”
THREE RESCUED IN COVENTRY FLAT BLAZE
Three people have been rescued from a blazing flat in Coventry.
The fire broke out on a balcony entrance in the two story house and spread through the kitchen window.
Amazingly, the family received advice from fire control on the phone on beating the blaze as fire fighters made their way to the house.
Leading fire fighter Alex Daw said: “Our fire control people told the family to keep the bedroom door closed, open the window, place clothes around the door to cover the gaps and stay as low down as possible.”
The man, woman and small boy were given first aid treatment on the spot after their rescue and taken to hospital suffering from smoke insulation.
Later it was found that the flames were so fierce that the smoke deflector had melted.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: “This sad case highlights the difference between sprinkler systems and smoke detectors.
Smoke detectors may alert people that there is a fire, but they do nothing about it.
A quality sprinkler system would have contained this fire before it became serious and the family would not have suffered the ordeal of what happened to them."
SHEFFIELD BAKERY DESTROYED BY FIRE
A bakery in Sheffield has been destroyed in a fire which may have cost hundreds of jobs.
Over 150 workers were evacuated at Fletcher’s bakery as the fire spread, but there were no injuries.
Hilary Baker of Northern Foods which owns the bakery said: “There will be a very thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and its impact.”
Staff have been summoned to a meeting with managers to discuss the company’s future as it had previously been announced that it was to be sold as a “going concern” before the fire broke out.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: “I’m astonished that the big insurance companies continue to pay out for this sort of fire, which could so easily be prevented.
I would urge all UK fire insurers to look at the savings they could make by encouraging the installation of more sprinkler systems – especially in high risk buildings.
These fires are such a waste of all our money, as well as being highly dangerous for workers and fire crews alike.”
LAUNCH OF NEW WEBSITE TO ENCOURAGE SPRINKLER USE
A new website called “Wise up to fire” has been launched to encourage the installation of sprinkler systems in schools and domestic homes.
The website is being launched by BAFSA – the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association – the trade organisation which monitors standards in the sprinkler industry.
To launch the site, a letter has been sent to all Westminster MPs asking them to support legislation on fire sprinkler systems to protect people and properties.
A BAFSA spokesperson said: “There has been an excellent response so far with many MPs telling us that they have signed an ‘Early Day Motion’ calling for wider use of sprinklers and some have also written to the Schools Minister.”
Arson in schools is a particular problem across the UK – especially during the school holidays – but recently there has been a new development of fires being set while schools were actually occupied.
Recently an attempt by MSPs in the Scottish Parliament (see earlier news story) to legislate for the installation of sprinkler systems in high rise flats and homes occupied by vulnerable people failed, due to opposition from many landlords and lack of support from the insurance industry.
Some local authorities – for example Stirling Council and South Ayrshire Council - have however installed sprinkler systems in some of their properties and there may be some scope for the Building Regulations to be amended to encourage more systems to be installed.
You can visit the website by clicking on www.wiseuptofire.org.
LET’S PUT SOME SAFETY INTO THESE GRAND DESIGNS…
Across the TV schedules and in dozens of glossy magazines on the news stands, people are spending millions of pounds renovating or building new houses.
From barn conversions to industrial loft spaces, armies of architects and trades people are producing spectacular homes to die for.
And that’s the point – safety – because among the chrome and marble kitchens, oak beams and plasma screens – where are the fire precautions?
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: “I watch with fascination and concern as people install miles of cabling through their homes for their colour coordinated lighting systems and their TVs and HiFi, but there’s nothing there to stop the building or its gadgets from catching fire.
And even worse, many of these building are open plan with in some cases, virtually no internal doors which might help to stop a fire from spreading.
I would urge all architects and home builders to stop and think – what would happen is one of your many gadgets overheated and burst into flames?
Or there was a fire on an unattended cooker?
There’s a good chance, it could develop into a catastrophic fire.”
Added Mr Watson: “People can see from the stories on these pages that smoke detectors only tell you there is a fire – they do nothing about it – it’s up to you to rescue your family and call the fire service.
Your lovely country house might have stunning views, but how long will it take a part time fire crew to reach you?
Your life’s work and savings could be smouldering ruins in less than 15 minutes.
Think about installing fire sprinklers as a key part of your plans.
If you are still not convinced, look at the demonstration pages elsewhere on this site.
It could be the best investment you have ever made!”
Fire has destroyed much of the set of the new James Bond film ‘Casino Royale’ at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.
As well as the set, which was a replica of Venice complete with canals, the studio building was severely damaged, with much of its huge roof caving in.
The blaze occurred after film workers heard two explosions shortly before a huge pall of smoke covered the area.
Fire fighter Brian Dugdale said: “Luckily the stage was being disassembled after the shooting was finished and there were not any of the hazards you might expect with this sort of film, such as pyrotechnics.
But there were a number of welding kits around and an acetylene cylinder is still alight.”
It took eight appliances working over 24 hours to control the blaze.
Pinewood Studios has been operational since 1935 and has been the location for some of the world’s most famous films including the Bond movies, Superman, Harry Potter, Lara Croft and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Charlie Chaplin worked there and a young Alfred Hitchcock got his first break there in 1937.
In complete contrast, Pinewood produced the ever lasting Carry On films which are still shown on TV regularly.
It was badly damaged by fire in 1984 and reopened a year later as the Albert Broccoli soundstage, in honour of the famous Bond producer.
Another fire damaged the building in 1997 during the filming of the Avengers.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinklers Systems said: “The insurance companies will be bracing themselves for this latest claim landing on their desks.
I don’t understand why they don’t do more to encourage the installation of fire sprinkler systems, especially in high risk buildings like this one.
Compared to the price of a Bond movie, it would be a comparatively modest investment, with the potential of saving millions of pounds in the long term.”
Earlier this year, the Aardman film studios in Bristol and their precious contents were completely destroyed by fire.
BREAKING NEWS FROM PINEWOOD
BOND STUDIO TO BE DEMOLISHED
The studio where the latest Bond movie was made is to be demolished.
Pinewood Studios has announced that the fire ravaged building will be demolished and replaced.
A spokesman from Pinewood Shepperton said: “The inside will be cleared and rebuilding work will begin as quickly as possible.
It’s official – it will be knocked down.”
He later admitted that the building “did not have sprinklers fitted”.
The cause of the fire and the costs of the damage caused are still unknown, but the Bond sets and the technical equipment to make the film were all lost.
Fraser Pearson of Buckingham fire and rescue service said: “The temperature a t the height of the fire was probably between 500C and 1,000C and a lot of things will just melt at these temperatures.”
During the blaze, two acetylene gas cylinders exploded and another 14 had to be removed.
David Watson of Firestop Sprinkler Systems said: “Yet again, fire fighters have been risking their lives to save property which could have been protected by a sprinkler system.”
WEBSITE LAUNCHED SETTING OUT FIRE RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER NEW ACT
A new website which sets out responsibilities under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 has been launched by the Scottish Executive under its ‘Safer Scotland’ banner.
Under the legislation, owners of non-domestic properties will have new responsibilities for fire safety from 1st October 2006, from which time the old fires safety certificates will be discontinued.
The “Fire Law” site gives details of what property owners will be required to do under the new regime.
Risk assessment is to be used to take steps to prevent fire and mitigate its effects and ensure the safety of people nearby.
The Act will cover all non-domestic premises in Scotland, along with houses in multiple occupations which need a licence.
All property owners as described above need to respo0nd to the new legislation, but in general terms, the more control you have, the greater your responsibility.
Different people may have fire safety responsibility in the same building and they will be required to coordinate their efforts and work together.
Fire safety risk assessments must be carried out and updated regularly.
In some cases, they will have to be recorded.
Premises covered by the fire safety regime may be inspected or audited by an enforcement officer to ensure compliance.
You can access the website at www.infoscotland.com.
DID YOU GET YOUR LAPTOP FROM 'DELL BOY'?
There are many reasons for fitting sprinkler systems, but buying a new laptop is not usually one of them.
However reports have been circulating of some Dell laptop computers “spontaneously combusting”.
However now one exploding laptop has been caught in the act – and it’s quite a scary thing to have happen on your desk!
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: “We assume that all the gadgets we buy are safe – and most of them are.
But here’s a frightening example of something which many of us leave switched on for hours at a time and the consequences of this incident could have been disastrous.
The only safe way to guard against fire is to fit a properly installed sprinkler system – and that’s a FIRESTOP one!”
BREAKING NEWS ON DELL
DELL RECALLS EXPLODING LAPTOPS
US computer giant is to offer free replacement batteries to around 4.1 million lap top computer owners around the world.
The batteries – which were made by Sony – are in notebooks shipped between April 1st and July 18th 2006.
The company says “that in rare cases, a short circuit could cause the batteries to overheat”.
However as FIRESTOP news readers will know, in some cases “overheating” actually means exploding in flames – see pictures in the previous story!
Details on how to get a new battery are on the Dell website.
CARE HOME OWNERS ORDERED TO APPEAR AT THE HIGH COURT
The owners of a care home in Lanarkshire in which 14 residents died after a fire have been summoned to appear before the High Court in Glasgow next month.
The fire at Rosepark Care Home killed 13 women and one man out of the 43 residents staying there.
Thomas Balmer, 59, his wife Anne, 58, and their son Alan, 32, have been charged with offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and contraventions of the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1992 and 1999.
They are also facing charges under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997.
Balmer Care Homes Ltd, which is owned by the family will face the same charges.
A preliminary hearing will take place on September 13th in the High Court in Glasgow.
The Balmers previously appeared on petition ar Hamilton Sheriff Court on 9th December 2005.
FIREFIGHTERS HURT IN BANGOR FIRE
Five fire-fighters have been hurt - two of them seriously – in a fire at a shop in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
The fire service was called the blaze at Bloomfield Retail Park in the early hours of the morning.
Station commander Alan Hamill said: “There was a build up of gases inside the building and when my team tried to move a burning bin from the front of the premises, they were suddenly engulfed in a fire ball, resulting in five injuries.”
It is believed the fire at the “Xtravision” shop was started deliberately and police enquiries continue.
FIRE CLAIMS LIFE IN HOMELESS UNIT
A man has died after a fire in a homeless unit in Montrose.
Fire fighters discovered he body as they tackled the blaze.
Fire broke out at around 8pm in the second storey of the building, but other occupants were able to escape.
Police enquiries into the cause of the blaze are continuing.
David Watson of Firestop Sprinkler Systems said: “Sadly, this kind of building tends to have a higher risk of fire than normal and a sprinkler system would almost certainly have prevented this tragedy.
It’s a great pity that the Scottish Parliament did not go ahead with proposed legislation which would have made sprinklers mandatory in houses of multiple occupation, high rise flats and accommodation for vulnerable people.
Fire safety in these kinds of buildings, should be fundamental in their management and operation."
FRESH CALL FOR SPRINKLERS IN SCHOOLS
A fresh call has been made for sprinklers to be installed in schools and all new public buildings.
Councillor Rob Curtis of Vale of Glamorgan Council was speaking after an arson attack on Barry Comprehensive School.
Classrooms, together with the school’s kitchen and dining area were badly damaged.
Said Councillor Curtis: “I made a call nearly four years ago for sprinkler systems to be fitted in public buildings and schools, but these were brushed aside.
I will be calling on the council to invest in a rolling programme to ensure that all our schools are protected.”
A café in Shoeburyness was destroyed by fire in a late night blaze.
Fire fighters had to call for reinforcements as the building was quickly destroyed.
It is thought that the blaze was started deliberately and police and fire officers are continuing to investigate the source of the fire.
LANCASHIRE PUB DESTROYED IN FIRE
A pub in Norris Green in Lancashire has been destroyed in a late afternoon fire.
The “Dickie Lewis’s” pub was badly damaged after flames swept through the third floor and roof space of the building, which may now have to be demolished.
At one point, traffic had to be diverted away from the smoke caused by the fire.
A structural inspection is to be carried out to see if the building will need to be knocked down.
The fire is believed to have been started deliberately.
BIRMINGHAM WORKSHOP DESTROYED IN FIRE
Forty fighters have tackled a huge blaze in a car repair workshop in Cradley Heath in the West Midlands.
As well as the workshop being destroyed, eight cars and two motor bikes were engulfed in the flames.
Fire fighters managed to prevent the fire from spreading to other business nearby, but some were affected by smoke damage.
The building contained propane gas cylinders, but none exploded.
A West Midlands Fire Service Spokesperson said: “When we arrived, the place was already in flames and the fire was threatening to spread to other premises.
“About 85% of the roof has collapsed into the building due to the severity of the fire.”
BOLLYWOOD SPICE HOTTER THAN USUAL
Fire broke out in the Bollywood Spice Indian restaurant in Gateshead’s giant MetroCentre Shopping Complex.
The restaurant in the Mediterranean Village – where else would you find an Indian restaurant – had closed half an hour earlier and was empty when the fire broke out.
The fire is believed to have started by a discarded cigarette.
RETIRED BARRISTER RESCUED FROM ARSON ATTACK
Retired Barrister Gilbert Hacking (81) was rescued form his luxury home after arsonists poured an inflammable substance though his letter box.
Mr Hacking had been sleeping in his chair when he heard a noise in the hallway and found the front door on fire.
Said Mr Hacking:” I phoned the Fire Brigade and threw a bucket of water on the flames.”
Fire crews were able to rescue him, but he refused hospital treatment.
The £250,000 bungalow suffered fire damage to the door and hallway, with the rest of the house affected by smoke.
Mr Hacking added: “I have suspicions about who was responsible, but nothing more.
I find it hard to believe it could be someone with a grudge from my days as a barrister.”
Mrs Norma Conlon who lives directly behind Mr Hacking said: “I heard a bang and thought it might be a car accident, then I saw smoke from the bungalow.
I can’t believe it was arson – this is a quiet street full of families and retired people.”
FIREFIGHTERS FIGHT MANCHESTER FACTOR BLAZE
Fire broke out at an industrial unit in Salford causing smoke to billow 100 feet in the air.
Around 50 fire fighters were called to fight the blaze which could be seen for miles around.
During the fire, explosions occurred within the building making fighting the fire even more dangerous.
David Watson of Firestop Sprinkler Systems said: “It’s the same old story we hear day after day.
Premises with hazardous substances inside catch fire and our fire fighters have to risk their lives to put out the fire.
A business is destroyed, jobs are put at risk, insurance premiums go up.
All this could be prevented by installing a quality sprinkler system.
It really is that simple.”
FIRE DAMAGES SEAFRONT PROPERY IN RHYL
A five story building on the seafront in Rhyl has been damaged by fire.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Gareth Watson said: “The fire was started deliberately and the basement of the property was severely damaged.”
Neighbour Graham Travers watched anxiously as smoke spread through the floor boards of his front room from the next door basement.
It took two hours for the fire service to bring the blaze under control.
The Matalan Store at Strood in Kent has been badly damaged by fire.
Over 100 fire fighters tackled the blaze in Commercial Road and nearby residents were asked to keep windows and doors closed.
Because of the combustible nature of the stock, most of the building has been badly damaged.
Roads around the store were badly congested and motorists and pedestrians were being advised to stay away from the area.
In March this year, over 1,000 residents had to leave their homes whilst a huge blaze destroyed the Matalan store in Birmingham.
The giant pall of smoke from the fire could be seen across a wide area of the West Midlands.
FIRE CHIEF HITS OUT AT RETAILERS AND COUNCILS
Reacting to the Birmingham Matalan blaze, (see story above), senior fire officers said: “We could not save the store because it did not have a sprinkler system.”
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Robert Hulland said: “Once again the fire service is having to come to a new building - which has no fire sprinklers - and watch it burn down.
We have lost commercial premises and an adjoining building has been damaged.
Jobs have been put at risk and I have had to put my fire fighters and the public at risk.”
And ACFO Hulland rejected any concern that retailers and councils raise over sprinklers accidentally being set off and ruining stock and school work.
“The chances of a sprinkler system going off accidentally are put at 16 million to one.
It is very frustrating for the fire service.”
A Matalan spokesperson said that they employed a health and safety officer who audits all 194 stores nationwide.
She added: “Ideally we would have sprinklers in all our stores – we take them very seriously.”
The Birmingham Matalan fire also damaged the adjacent JJB sports store as a pall of black smoke engulfed the area.
David Watson of FIRESTOP Sprinkler Systems said: “I share the frustrations expressed by the Fire Services.
Sprinkler systems have been proven for over 100 years to put out fires immediately, before they get a chance to spread.
I really don’t understand why we are still building retail premises and schools without sprinkler systems so that when fire breaks out, it runs out of control until the fire service arrives.”
He added: “Over 2,000 schools in the UK are damaged by fire each year – and many of these fires are started deliberately and often when people are still in the building.
Councils really should be looking at the wider costs of fire in disrupting the educational system, as well as the cost of repairing the damage.”
FIRE FIGHTERS SAVE SOUTHEND SCHOOL FROM ARSON ATTACK
Fire fighters in Southend have prevented a fire started in a school shed from destroying the whole school.
Crews were already attending two fires which had been started deliberately in sheds in adjoining allotments, when they saw smoke coming from a shed at Lancaster School as well.
The shed and its contents were completely destroyed, with the plastic toys stored there making the flames even fiercer.