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.

Safety warning follows weekend fires

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews responded to a spate of rubbish fires across the Edinburgh area over the weekend …

Shortly after 8pm on Sunday night (18 August), crews from Newcraighall were mobilised to tackle a pile of burning rubbish at the rear of a community centre in the Danderhall area of Dalkeith. Just ten minutes later, colleagues from McDonald Road, Marionville and Tollcross fire stations were called to a rubbish fire in the doorway of a primary school on Loganlea Drive.

These were relatively minor incidents. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service personnel responded quickly as were able to extinguish the fires before damage to life or property occurred.

Burning rubbish can however, have more serious repercussions, especially if the fire occurs in a residential premises. For example, at around 11pm the same night, a fire broke out in the bins of a four-storey block of flats in Hailesland Grove, in the Sighthill area of Edinburgh. Three fire crews from Sighthill fire station were in attendance, and two firefighters in breathing apparatus had to enter the burning building. Having extinguished the fire, crews remained at the scene to vent smoke.

Bins contain a variety of flammable materials, and members of the public should take particular care to ensure that all cigarettes are fully extinguished before putting them in bins. People should also ensure that hot items (such as burnt food) are allowed to cool thoroughly before being thrown away.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also addressed the problem of deliberate fire-setting. “Without commenting on the causes of any of these incidents, we wish to remind the public that deliberate fire-setting is not only irresponsible and dangerous to the lives and property of others, but also a serious criminal offence that can attract severe custodial penalties.”

Fire at Craigroyston High School

Craigroyston High School will open as normal this morning despite a fire at the school last night.

The fire was reported at 9pm last night and 35 firefighters, with six pumping appliances and various special appliances, tackled the blaze.

No casualties were reported but there is some external damage to the building, which first opened in May 2010.

The old Craigroyston High School building was demolished following a major fire in July 2010 (pictured below).

Emergency services personnel are still at the scene and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

Investigation after Oxcars Court fire death

An investigation has been launched following the discovery of a man’s body after a fire in a Muirhouse flat yesterday. The body of the man in his 50s – named locally as David Robson – was found at the house in Oxcars Court by emergency services shortly after they arrived on the scene at about 12:35.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police were called to an address in Oxcars Court around 12:35 on Tuesday in response to a fire that had broken out. The body of a man in his 50s was discovered within the flat. Inquiries are under way in order to establish the circumstances of his death.”

Woman and child rescued from Muirhouse flat fire

A woman and a child were rescued after a fire broke out in the kitchen of a flat in Muirhouse last night.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze started in a second-floor property in Gunnet Court, within Muirhouse View, when a grill pan caught alight just before midnight.

A spokeswoman for the service said a four-year-old girl and a woman, aged 22, were rescued by firefighters.

They were treated at the scene for slight smoke inhalation but did not have to go to hospital.

Police seek witnesses after Pilton fireworks incidents

Police are appealing for witnesses after a series of incidents involving the reckless discharge of fireworks in the West Pilton area. From Tuesday night into the early hours of Wednesday morning (October 16 and 17), there were a number of incidents reported to police involving a group of youths who were setting off fireworks.

The most serious incident happened just after midnight in West Pilton Drive, where a firework was forced into a garage adjoining a house, causing a fire to break out. The fire service was called to the property to extinguish the blaze, which caused limited damage. No one was injured in the incident.

DC Rachael Robertson from Lothian and Borders Police said: “Thankfully the fire was dealt with swiftly, however there was the potential for far more serious consequences as a result of this reckless criminal act. At present officers are carrying out enquiries in the area, including the use of CCTV, in an attempt to identify the youths responsible. We would appeal to anyone who witnessed any fireworks being set off in the Pilton area overnight to come forward. Anyone else who has any information that can assist us in identifying the youths responsible should also get in touch.”

Anyone with any information should contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Man dies in Powderhall flat fire

A man has died after a fire in a flat in Powderhall this morning.

Around 40 firefighters tackled the blaze at Powderhall Rigg. Fire Control received a call at 9.50am to a report of a fire in the flat of a six-storey block.

On arrival, firefighters discovered a two-storey flat (which is on the third and fourth floor) well alight and smoke billowing from the building. Four firefighters in breathing apparatus using one line of hose were despatched to fight the fire. Crews were also tasked with evacuating residents from neighbouring flats on the affected floors.

One male casualty was located by firefighters, but was pronounced dead at the scene. The affected flat where the fatality was discovered, was badly damaged by fire.

Five appliances, a height platform, Heavy Rescue Tender and Incident Support Unit were sent to the scene.

Second deliberate stair fire in Granton area

A man and a woman had to be treated for smoke inhalation after a suspected deliberate stair fire yesterday afternoon. This comes just a week after a fire which resulted in a three month old baby being taken to hospital.

Two engines from Crewe Toll and a height appliance were mobilised to West Granton Road at 12.19pm after reports of a building alight.

On arrival firefighters discovered a fire in the ground floor of the common stair within a three-storey tenement property. Four firefighters in breathing apparatus and using a high pressure hose reel extinguished the blaze and vented the building for smoke.

A man aged 24 and a woman aged 27 from one of the top floor flats had to be checked over by ambulance crews at the scene.

Lothian Borders Fire & Rescue Service’s Fire Investigation Unit and Police were called due to suspicion the fire was started deliberately.

The Council and Scottish Gas were also contacted about heat and smoke damage in the common areas.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said:

“Early indications suggest this fire may have been started deliberately. Fortunately no-one was seriously hurt but there was noticeable damage to the common stair area.

“If you live in a property with a common stair and shared areas please be a good neighbour and do what you can to prevent this type of incident. Always make sure main doors leading to flats are kept locked. Don’t let strangers into common stairs. Never stored combustibles in a common stairway. They can be attractive to deliberate fire setters. Rubbish can also block exits in a emergency and burning materials will produce a lot of toxic smoke putting residents at risk of smoke inhalation.

“If you discover a fire and it is safe to do so, get out, stay out and call us out by dialling 999 and asking for ‘Fire’. If your stairwell is full of smoke it may be safer to stay inside your property and call 999. Fire control will give expert fire survival advice until fire crews arrive to help you. They will make sure firefighters know where to find you and they will tell you when it is safe to leave your property.”

For more fire safety advice, including how to make an escape plan for your home or what to do if trapped by fire, you can visit our website at www.lbfire.org.uk

Woman and baby taken to hospital after suspicious fire in Granton

A 28-year-old woman and her three-month-old baby girl were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for a check-up after a deliberate fire in Granton this morning.

Firefighters from McDonald Road and Crewe Toll fire stations responded shortly before 11.30am after a report of a building alight in Royston Mains Gardens.

When crews arrived, they discovered the back door and rubbish to the rear of the three-storey property well alight and the common stair filled with smoke.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze and checked out all the neighbouring flats to ensure no one was unaccounted for.

The woman and her baby were lead to safety by firefighters before being taken by ambulance to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Crews left the scene at 1pm.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said: “Initial investigations suggest that rubbish which had been stored at the back door was deliberately set alight. This led to the door catching fire and the common stair filling with smoke.

“This would have been a very frightening experience for householders. Fortunately, firefighters were on site quickly and were able to help residents out of the building before extinguishing the blaze.

“We can’t stress enough the importance of keeping common areas free from junk and rubbish. It’s an attractive target for firesetters and can put people at risk of deliberate set fires.”

Fire destroys Hanover Street travel agent

A fire ripped through the Thomas Cook store on Frederick Street yesterday afternoon. The fire was reported at 15.05 and at the height of the fire there was 60 Firefighters in attendance. The Fire Service were at the scene for the remainder of the day. Its not thought that anyone was hurt in the incident.