monthly fire safety news from a.m. fire group
Lack of Sprinklers in a residential home
A care home fire in the Austrian town of Egg on 9 February 2008 caused the death of 11 residents and injured another 6. Officials say that all the victims were particularly old and frail and died of smoke inhalation. The 140 year old building housed 23 elderly residents, many of whom need help to evacuate after the fire broke out in an upstairs room. Some 250 firefighters tackled the blaze but retreated amid fears that the building would collapse. Thick smoke in upper rooms hampered rescue workers efforts. The cause of the fire is unknown, however, a criminal investigation is under way. Sprinklers were not installed in the building.
Single Sprinkler Stops Fire
A fire in a West Yorkshire tannery on 2 February 2008 was stopped by a single sprinkler, according to West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service. The fire started when a fire, used to warm up fat, was accidentally left on while the factory was closed for the weekend. The heater caused a plastic barrel containing fat to smolder and ignite. On arrival at the scene the incident commander reported that one sprinkler head had extinguished the fire with minimal damage. The factory was able to resume business on Monday morning. The company says that the sprinkler system saved the jobs of 50 people and potential insurance losses of £9m.
Fire Safety Failures at Ilford Nightclub
A nightclub has been fined £41,000 after pleading guilty to 12 fire safety offences. Redbridge Magistrates Court heard that there were numerous fire safety failures at the Penthouse and Room at the Top nightclub in High Road, Ilford. The breaches included wedged-open fire doors, no clear escape routes, and an exit stairway that was obstructed by rubbish. The case arose after London Fire Brigade's Redbridge Team were called to a fire alarm operating at the premises and subsequently carried out an inspection identifying the contraventions.
John Noble
John Noble, a serving firefighter for 22 years, died in an on-duty accident on 23 January 2008, while responding to a false alarm at a local primary school. The 46 year old from Alloa, Central Scotland died after the appliance he was driving came off the A91 near Tillicountry on a bend in the road, and crashed into a tree. Three other firefighters were seriously injured.
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