St Paul's smoulders as investigation begins

‘What we had feared and predicted has happened tonight’

St Paul’s lies a blackened ruin this morning following a major fire at the former RC church in Muirhouse last night. An investigation has been launched and an expert forensic team is expected on the scene at first light. The fire is being treated as ‘suspicious’.

Emergency services were alerted at 9.30pm last night and at one point seven fire engines were on the scene. Police also closed off a section of Pennywell Road as firefighters battled to control the blaze.

One Pennywell resident said: “I was making a cup of tea when I noticed there was a weird red glow in the sky. I was just going to ask my wife to have a look when she came through and told me that my son had been on the phone to say St Paul’s was on fire.”

A crowd of onlookers gathered and flames could be seen shooting high into the air through the roof of the church. It’s though the building will now be demolished for safety reasons.

It’s a tragic end for a building that’s been at the heart of the Muirhouse community since the 1960’s. St Paul’s closed in October despite a community campaign to keep the church alive, and the building was quickly put up for sale – described by the selling agents as a ‘Re-development Opportunity’.

The fire has come as no surprise to some members of the local community. George Reavley was one of organisers of the Save St Paul’s campaign. Speaking last night, he said: ” Over forty years of history and fond memories for local families has been desecrated in one night by mindless, thoughtless creatures.

“What we had feared and predicted has happened tonight. St Paul’s Church was torched and went up in a huge blaze. We told the Parish Priest NOT to board the church up when it was closed. He told the Archdiocese this as well but they went ahead and boarded it up anyway. It was always on the cards. This is what happens when you don’t heed local advice.”

Unfortunate accident or foul play? We’ll find out more once investigators get to work.

St Paul's engulfed in flames

Firefighters are tackling a major blaze at St Paul’s church in Muirhouse.

More to follow …

Candle Safety Week advice

Did you know this is Candle Safety Week? Me neither, but here’s some advice that’s particularly relevant at this time of the year …

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is making an appeal to the public to stay safe this Candle Safety Week.

Candles pose a real threat to life if misused. Follow our top tips to make sure you, your family and home stay safe from fire:

• Make sure that when in use, candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains, furniture, Christmas trees, decorations or toys.

• Children and pets should not be left alone with lit candles.

• Put candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re put out completely at night. In particular, never leave a burning candle in a bedroom.

• Trim the wick to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring.

• Don’t move candles once they are lit.

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on burn time and proper use.

• Do not burn several candles close together as this might cause flaring (mainly with tea-lights).

• Always make sure tea-lights are placed in a proper holder. The foil container that tea lights are contained in can get very hot. They can melt through plastic, such as a bath, and have the potential to start a house fire.

• Use a snuffer or a spoon to put out candles. It’s safer than blowing them out when embers can fly.

Taking these precautions will reduce the chances of a house fire, but should the worst happen, remember to ensure that your smoke alarms are in working order and that everyone living in your household knows their quickest escapes routes in an emergency.

Top safety tip: this winter, keep a torch and spare batteries readily available in your home in case of a lighting failure.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a FREE Home Fire Safety Visit, please join Scotland’s fight against fire and request a visit by calling the SFRS freephone number 0800 0731 999, by texting ‘check’ to 61611 or by contacting their local fire station.

Festival of Lights: enjoy a happy and safe Diwali

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe Diwali …

The festival of lights is a time of celebration for Hindu, Jain and Sikh members of our communities. As the festival of lights, Diwali is a time of celebration often marked by special meals for family and friends and the lighting of candles and oil lamps, known as divas.

Taking a few simple precautions will significantly reduce the risk of fire within the home.

Candles and divas should always be placed out of the reach of children and away from things like curtains, furniture, clothing, and any other items that could easily catch fire.

By making sure they’re never left unattended or placed where they could be accidentally knocked over, people can help make sure their family remember this Diwali for all the right reasons.

More fires start in the kitchen than in any other room of the house, so it’s important to remember that fires start when our attention stops.

People should never walk away from a cooker while the grill or hob is on, as the few moments it takes to pick up a ringing phone or answer the door is all it could take for a potentially deadly fire to begin.

Where fires do start early warning is crucial if people are to get to safety. Working smoke alarms save lives.

Freshers fire safety call

With students moving to study at universities and colleges throughout Scotland firefighters are calling on everyone to help keep themselves and their new communities safe from fire …

September sees young people arrive in cities and towns across the country for Freshers’ Week and as students get familiar with their new surroundings, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) wants them to act to prevent tragedies.

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, the SFRS director of prevention and protection, said: “Many young people will be leaving home for the first time and it’s obviously an exciting point in their lives.

“When moving into halls of residence or rented accommodation there’s a lot for these students to take in, but it’s absolutely crucial everyone recognises the danger posed by fire and understands the steps needed to reduce the risk.

“Our message to students is that you’re responsible for your own safety and that of the people around you.

“We need you to help us protect the communities you’re now part of, so please take a minute to look at our student safety leaflet – it’s essential reading.”

Firefighters will visit universities and colleges across Scotland throughout September to offer advice and help raise awareness of fire safety as an issue.

Parents also have a role to play, and SFRS is eager for anyone who has a son or daughter moving away from home to discuss fire safety with them.

There can be a greater risk of fire within shared rented accommodation and people should check to ensure there are working smoke and heat alarms.

Everyone should also make sure there are no bars on the windows and that they can be easily opened from the inside, and check for fire resisting labels on the furniture. Furniture made before 1988 may not be match or fire-resistant.

ACO Ramsay added: “People’s actions have a big impact on the chances of a fire starting or causing injuries or deaths.

“We want students to recognise that if you have consumed alcohol then your decision-making and judgement will be impaired, putting you and other residents at higher risk from fire.

“Choosing never to cook while under the influence of alcohol is a key step that will significantly reduce the risk of a tragedy.

“Similarly, anyone who is under the influence of alcohol should avoid smoking while sitting down, as it’s too easy to nod off and start a fire with potentially horrific consequences.”

In halls of residence, false alarms are a particular concern. Most emergency fire calls to student accommodation are false alarms caused by carelessness and negligence.

Having to attend false alarms risks lives, as firefighters may be delayed in getting to a real emergency where every second is critical.

The SFRS student safety leaflet – which also contains simple tips to avoid false alarms caused by cooking, smoking materials, candles, steam from bathrooms and more – can be downloaded below:

students___young_people

To join Scotland’s fight against fire and book a free home fire safety visit text ‘fire’ to 61611, call 0800 0731 999, or visit the SFRS website to complete an online form.

SFRS marks First World War anniversary

As people commemorate a century since Britain entered the war some basic precautions will ensure candles mark those lost without causing further tragedy.

On the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War senior Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) officers have paid their respects to those who lost their lives in the course of the devastating conflict.

The United Kingdom entered the war on Tuesday 4 August 1914 following Germany’s invasion of Belgium. Around 17 million people were killed during one of the most destructive wars ever fought.

SFRS Chief Officer Alasdair Hay said: “The devastation of the First World War touched every community and it’s right that we pause to mark a century since the beginning of this terrible episode in history.

“Many firefighters were military reservists and so they were called up by the army or the navy, and over the course of the war many others either volunteered or were conscripted into military service.

“Of course, as with their colleagues from all other walks of life, many of these men would never return home to their families.

“The commemorative events taking place around the world today are very significant to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and our thoughts must go to the awful impact the First World War had on everyone involved.”

As a mark of remembrance the Royal British Legion is encouraging people to turn off their lights for an hour tonight, leaving a single light or candle on for a shared moment of reflection.

Lights Out is a national initiative running from 10pm to 11pm – exactly a century since the UK’s ultimatum for Germany to leave Belgium expired.

Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey famously remarked: “The lamps are going out all over Europe. We shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”

As the First World War progressed the government took steps to ensure communities at home still had the fire cover they needed, with firefighters added to the list of reserved occupations not liable to conscription.

With people throughout the country preparing to commemorate the anniversary by taking part in the Lights Out remembrance campaign, SFRS is reminding everyone to take extra care with their candles.

Assistant Chief Officer (ACO) Lewis Ramsay, director of prevention and protection and chair of the SFRS Heritage Committee, said: “Many of us will be marking the 100th anniversary of World War One tonight by taking part in the Lights Out event.

“Firefighters served throughout the war and the sad fact is many who did were among those killed or seriously injured as a result.

“Our aim as the fire and rescue service isn’t to discourage anyone from taking part in this national moment of reflection, but we do want to remind people to take some simple precautions if they are planning to light a candle.”

ACO Ramsay continued: “Candles do pose a significant fire risk so it’s vital we all use them correctly and safely.

“It’s important to think about where they are placed. They should always be away from curtains and out of the reach of pets and children.

“Most importantly, remember to extinguish your candles if you leave the room – it only takes a moment for a fire to start.

“We urge every household to have working smoke alarms and test them every week. We also provide free home fire safety visits and fit smoke alarms where required.”

More information on candle fire safety is available on the SFRS website www.firescotland.gov.uk

People can join Scotland’s fight against fire and request a free home fire safety visit by calling the SFRS freephone number 0800 0731 999, texting ‘check’ to 61611 or by contacting their local fire station.

Kitchen fire sparks safety warning

Fire chiefs are reminding the public to stay safe while cooking following a kitchen fire in a Dumbiedykes Road flat last night. A man was treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation at the Royal Infirmary following the incident, and firefighters discovered that the flat did not have a working smoke alarm.

Station Manager Steve Harkins said: “Many kitchen fires happen when people are not paying attention or they leave things unattended but there are several things you can do to prevent fires in the kitchen.

“Don’t leave pans unattended. Take them off the heat if you have to leave the room. Fire starts when your attention stops. When you have finished cooking, make sure the cooker or oven is turned off.

“The kitchen can be the most dangerous place in the home. Fire can cause damage not just to your property, but more seriously can put family and loved ones at risk.

“The property did not have a working smoke alarm. We would encourage anyone who doesn’t have a smoke alarm to have one fitted immediately. Smoke alarms save lives. If you don’t have one then call Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and arrange a free Home Fire Safety Visit and we will provide you with a smoke alarm free of charge. It could save your life.

“Home fire safety visits only take around half an hour and are delivered by firefighters from your local community. If you or someone you know could benefit from a visit, please join Scotland’s fight against fire and request a visit by calling the SFRS freephone number 0800 0731 999, by texting ‘check’ to 61611 or by contacting their local fire station.”

Kitchen Safety

More fires start in the kitchen than in any other room in the house. Here’s some advice to help you stay safe.

General cooking

Make sure your home has working smoke alarms. Consider fitting a heat alarm in your kitchen

Make sure your cooker is or has been fitted properly by a qualified fitter

Keep your oven, cooker and grill clean and make sure there’s no fat on it

Keep tea towels, cloths and kitchen paper away from the cooker

Keep fats and oils away from the cooker

Cook with handles turned to the side to avoid them spilling

Use a flameless lighter on gas cookers instead of matches or a lighter

You should never:

Hang or dry clothing and towels on or near the cooker

Leave your cooker, grill or oven on when you go out – even on a timer

Leave electrical wires or cords near the cooker

Keep anything on top of an eye-level grill

Put anything metal in your microwave – even tin foil.

Chip pans and deep-frying

Modern electric deep fat fryers are much safer than traditional chip pans as they have a safety switch that cuts them off to stop them overheating and catching fire.

Try not to use a traditional chip pan if you can because there’s always a high risk of fire. If you do use a traditional chip pan, follow our safety advice:

Only ever fill one third full

Turn the handle to the side – but not over any of the other cooker rings

Fry in small amounts – overfilling could cause spills

Make sure food going in it is dry, not dripping wet or covered in ice.

You should never:

Deep fry when you’ve been drinking alcohol or taking drugs or if you are feeling tired

Leave the pan alone – It only takes a second for a fire to start.

Other kitchen appliances

Washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers have powerful parts that heat up, any of which could start a fire if something goes wrong. Follow our safety advice:

Always switch appliances off at the wall before going to bed or going out

Always plug straight into a wall socket and avoid adaptors for lots of plugs as they can result in electricity overloads

Never Leave them running when going out or to bed.

Open fires and stoves

Keep all furniture at least three feet away from your fire

Put the fire guard up if you feel sleepy

Let fires burn down before going to bed – and don’t forget to put the guard up

Keep the guard up at all times if you have children or pets

Have your chimney swept at least once a year – twice if you use it lots

Check your hearth regularly – if it’s cracked, have it fixed professionally

You should never:

Leave a lit fire unattended without a fireguard

Use flammable liquids like barbecue lighter fuel to light a fire

Throw flammable liquids or spray cans onto the fire

Use building or packing timber as firewood – it’s very sparky

Dry clothes over or in front of the fire – they could catch light

Place mirrors over the fire – people stand too close and risk setting clothes on fire

For stoves, you should also:

Replace any cracked door glass or casings immediately

Always use certified fire glass in stove doors

Use the right type of fuel (using coal in wood stoves can damage them)

Be careful not to leave flammable items like clothes and paper on top of the stove.

recipe_for_safe_cooking

A wide range of tips on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire are available on the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk

Three hospitalised following chip pan fire

A man, a woman and a young child were taken to hospital this morning (1 March) following an early morning chip pan fire in Elbe Street.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Watch Manager Stuart Sinclair, the incident commander, said: “A fire in an unattended chip pan had caused a large amount of smoke to fill the kitchen and other parts of the flat.

“Firefighters in breathing apparatus quickly put out the flames using a fire blanket and fire-fighting hose reel and our crews provided oxygen therapy to the woman and the child who had suffered smoke inhalation and to the man who had suffered smoke inhalation and burns.

“Thankfully this home was protected by a working smoke alarm and the residents of the flat were able to get out. A neighbour, on hearing the alarm, called 999.”

After receiving treatment by firefighters at the scene, the man, woman and child were assessed by ambulance personnel before being taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for further treatment.

SFRS ADVICE:

Traditional chip pans are known to be a fire risk and SFRS has urged anyone who still uses one to consider switching to a modern electric fryer, which will have a safety switch to prevent it overheating.

If you’re tired, have been drinking, or taking drugs, don’t cook. You will be less alert to the signs of fire, and more likely to fall asleep.

Firefighters are also clear that working smoke alarms save lives and buy time for crews to tackle fires before heat, smoke and flames can spread throughout a home.

People have also been asked to consider fitting a heat alarm within the kitchen – the room where most house fires start.

Free home fire safety visits only take around half an hour. A key part of the Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire campaign, they have proven immensely popular with more than 56,000 completed across the country last year.

Anyone who thinks they or someone they know – like an elderly relative, friend or neighbour – could benefit from the expert advice of firefighters from their own community should call 0800 0731 999 or text ‘check’ to 61611.

People can also fill out a form at www.firescotland.gov.uk or contact their local community fire station.

Join Scotland’s fight against fire

Members of the public have been urged to help firefighters reach vulnerable residents so they can prevent house fires and the deaths, injuries and emotional trauma they cause.

Assistant Chief Officer (ACO) Lewis Ramsay, the SFRS Director of Prevention and Protection, explained: “Fire in the home can be both terrifying and tragic, but simple steps will significantly reduce the risk of it happening to us.

“I am calling on everyone to consider the risks in their homes and the homes of people around them, and then to take potentially life-saving action.

“Firefighters have the terrible experience of attending serious fires, where people have been killed or injured, that need never have happened.

“My message to everyone is don’t let that happen to you or the people around you. Everyone can save lives and protect themselves and their families, friends and neighbours from fire.”

The latest stage of the Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire campaign emphasises the need for all homes to be protected by working smoke alarms, which are known to have a dramatic impact in preventing injuries and deaths.

People should also consider fitting a heat alarm within kitchens – the room where most house fires start – as the devices are specifically designed to give early warning of fire.

ACO Ramsay continued: “The evidence is clear – working smoke alarms have saved lives and are absolutely essential items for every household.

“It is widely acknowledged that working smoke detectors raise the alarm very quickly, meaning there is less chance of fire causing serious injury to people and damage to property.

“More homes than ever are now protected by these life-saving devices and that has led to a noticeable reduction in the severity of the house fires we are called to tackle.

“Incidents where fire spread beyond the item that first ignited to engulf the whole room have fallen by 10 per cent, while cases where the fire spread to damage other parts of the house have fallen by 16 per cent.

“By quickly alerting people to the presence of fire, working smoke alarms give residents the time they need to get out and call us out.

“That not only prevents serious injury or worse, it also means firefighters can bring a fire under control before flames, toxic smoke and heat cause severe damage to a home and rob householders of cherished possessions.”

In an advert airing on television and radio over the coming days, a serving firefighter will share her memory of attending a house fire where a woman was killed.

Watch Manager Andrea Sutherland recalls how she and her crew found a woman in the living room, which was full with lethal levels of toxic smoke – even though the fire had burned itself out without spreading from the kitchen.

In a direct plea for the public to recognise the risks and make sure their smoke alarms work, Watch Manager Sutherland explains: “The lady had simply put something to cook in the oven.

“Like many people’s cookers, her oven door had a handle where she hung oven gloves and a tea towel.

“As she slept the heat from the oven must have built up until it set the tea towel on fire.

“A neighbour spotted the smoke and called us. There were two smoke alarms fitted in the house but she had removed the batteries.

“People often do this because they don’t like the alarm going off when they are cooking – but if this lady had kept her batteries in, she would probably still be alive today.”

In its Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire campaign, SFRS is determined to help the public understand how easily fire can start within the home, as well as the simple precautions that save lives and property when fire does start.

As a routine part of their duties firefighters throughout the country deliver expert advice to help residents keep their homes safe, and SFRS wants the public to help it reach those most at risk.

ACO Ramsay added: “In the past year our crews conducted more than 56,000 free home fire safety visits, where they gave residents tips to prevent fire starting and to buy vital time if it does strike.

“Firefighters conducting free home fire safety visits will even install long life battery smoke alarms wherever they are needed – and it’s completely free of charge.

“It is a hugely popular and beneficial programme that gives vulnerable members of our community friendly support and some very welcome reassurance.

“We need help from members of the public to reach those most at risk. If you keep an eye on a vulnerable relative, friend or neighbour then put them in contact with us – it could save their life.”

Anyone can arrange a free home fire safety visit by calling the SFRS Freephone number 0800 0731 999 or by contacting their local fire station.

Further information on how to keep your home fire safe is available on the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk.

Public urged to join Scotland’s ‘fight against fire’

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) continues its call to action as it works to protect communities across the country and prevent fire tragedies over the festive season …

As people celebrate Christmas they are being urged to recognise the risks, take action to stop house fires and avoid the deaths, injuries and trauma they cause.

Assistant Chief Officer (ACO) Lewis Ramsay, the SFRS director of prevention and protection explained: “I am urging everyone to join Scotland’s fight against fire and help us save lives this Christmas.

“More house fires occur in December and January than in other months so everyone needs to be aware of the increased risk at this time of year.

“Impairment due to alcohol or drugs is suspected to have been a factor in fires that resulted in 10 deaths and almost 280 injuries during 2012-13.

“The festive season often brings with it a significant increase in the number of incidents and we all need to know combining alcohol with cooking is a lethal mix.”

Across Scotland, 600 people were injured in around 3,000 cooking related house fires in 2012-13, while over the past four years, 60 per cent of all accidental house fires have involved cooking.

The experience of SFRS crews who have responded to accidental house fires is being put front and centre as the service arms the public with knowledge of how they can stay safe from fire this winter.

Adverts on television, radio and in newspapers feature serving firefighters sharing their memories of attending serious house fires, as SFRS drives home a powerful message to drive down the number of fires and casualties.

ACO Ramsay continued: “Firefighters know all too well the tragic outcomes that can result from accidents involving everyday items like cooking appliances.

“Many fires where someone has been killed, seriously injured or left with potentially life-long emotional trauma could have been prevented if simple steps had been taken.

“The fact is that fire can take hold in an instant and flames, toxic smoke and heat can quickly engulf a home to threaten the lives of everyone inside.

“Cooking appliances must never be left unattended while they are in use and anyone who is cooking while under the influence of alcohol must be aware of the risk and take extreme care.

“When fire does start having an early warning is often the difference between life and death, so it is essential that every home be protected by working smoke alarms.”

Public awareness of fire risks has undoubtedly increased and more properties than ever are now protected by working smoke alarms.

While this has reduced the number of house fires and the deaths and injuries they cause, SFRS is determined to make Scotland ever safer and is eager for members of the public to continue to play their part.

Having identified its partnership with the public as key to preventing house fires and cutting the number of injuries and deaths, SFRS officers are clear on the important role played by residents of every community across the country.

ACO Ramsay said: “Fire can strike anywhere – we all need to accept it can happen to us and act to keep ourselves and those around us safe.

“Firefighters will always respond to emergencies with courage and professionalism, but we know there are incidents where the only way to prevent tragedy would have been to prevent the fire starting in the first place.

“That’s why crews across the country have conducted more than 56,000 free home fire safety visits in the past year; helping residents reduce the risk of fire starting and raise the chance of escaping if it does.

“We need the public’s help to reach everyone who may be at increased risk of experiencing a fire within their home.”

“This year, pre-campaign research has revealed that just over 70 per cent of people would refer someone they knew to be at risk for a home fire safety visit or other service.

“We need to capitalise on this. Firefighters are here to help, but the public themselves have a crucial role to play in making Scotland safer.

“Anyone who keeps an eye on a vulnerable relative, friend or neighbour can make a real difference – potentially saving their life – by putting them in contact with us.

“Our message is clear – be an active citizen, help us save lives, make that call and join Scotland’s fight against fire this Christmas.”

Anyone can arrange a free home fire safety visit by calling the SFRS Freephone number 0800 0731 999 or by contacting their local fire station.

In recognising the risks, making sure they take basic fire safety precautions and putting vulnerable residents into contact with SFRS, people throughout Scotland will be helping to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe over the festive season.

To help spread that vital message to everyone it serves, SFRS will share specific safety tips in a ’12 Days of Christmas’ campaign on Twitter and Facebook.

The first message, which will be issued on December 13, will advise social media users to make sure their Christmas tree lights conform to the British standard.

It will be followed with similar to the point tips on candle safety, fire escape plans and overloading electrical sockets, as well as the strong advice on cooking, alcohol and smoking materials.

Members of the public will be able to see these messages by following the official SFRS Twitter accounts: @scotfire_north, @scotfire_west and @scotfire_east, and the official SFRS Facebook page.

More festive and winter safety advice is available on the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk.