The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is warning of the dangers of fire within common areas, stairwells and landings after two fires in Edinburgh over the weekend.
Edinburgh crews were called to fires in the stairwell of two flat blocks at Alan Breck Gardens at 7.50pm on Saturday night (October 13), and Dumbryden Gardens at 10pm on Sunday (October 14).
Firefighters worked to quickly extinguish the fires, while Operations Control staff also provided fire survival guidance to occupiers who were inside other properties during each incident.
Two casualties assisted to safety by firefighters from the Alan Breck Gardens property were transported to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary by the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Firefighters also administered oxygen therapy to resuscitate a dog which had suffered from smoke inhalation during the incident on Saturday evening.
There were no casualties reported from the stairwell fire at Dumbryden Gardens.
Keith Langley, Station Manager for Prevention and Protection in Edinburgh, said: “We would always urge people not to leave rubbish or bins in the common stairwells, and to keep these areas clear.
“This can be very attractive to fire setters and increases the risk of a fire.
“Discarded items of furniture and rubbish can produce large amounts of toxic smoke and also restrict access for emergency services.
“You can reduce the risk of fire for yourself and your neighbours by keeping common stairs clear and free from obstruction and making sure main doors are kept locked.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of having a working smoke alarm. Every household should have one and residents should test these every week.
“We provide free home fire safety visits and can fit smoke alarms where required.”
If you know someone who could benefit from this service, contact SFRS on 0800 073 1999, text ‘FIRE’ to 80800, or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk
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Fire services granted a job well done putting these fires out….maybe a way to work with the local council on fire safety on things like locking doors into stair wells as so many have been without locks in many years regardless of the many calls from tenants to have locks repaired or installed and intercom system repaired for the people in these situations to have the risk of fire in unsecure stair wells due to lack of maintenance by local councils is sure a failing in duty of care to there tenants and should there ever be a fatel failing would be on there heads.
This article says that no casualties reported in dumbryden gardens maybe not in such a way as physically but im sure mentally there will some issues… its not something id be able to sleep easy with right away….in time maybe… but with the damage in this stair well still showing burnt and black and no sign 3 days later of any sort of repairs or infact even a clean up from local council (landlords) this time my be longer with constant reminder to adults and children within the building again a fail in duty of care.
So I say again… well done to local fire crews as always a job very well done…as a prevention i urge your report to highlight the risks that the council should as an urgent priority to all buildings in dumbryden take action on and repair locks and intercoms before its to late.