Woman dies in Western General fire

Investigations are ongoing following the death of an elderly woman patient after a fire at the Western General’s Royal Victoria building early this morning.

Firefighters from Crewe Toll, Tollcross and McDonald Road fire stations attended a ‘small fire’ in a ground floor ward at 2.30am.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the ward, dealt with the fire and an injured female patient while colleagues assisted hospital staff with the evacuation of 14 other patients from the affected ward to another area within the hospital.

The female patient, who was 75, died at the scene and SFRS Fire Investigation Unit officers are now working with Police Scotland officers to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Investigations are at an early stage following the death of a 75-year-old woman at the Western General Hospital. Officers attended after reports were received of a small fire in a room in one of the wards.”

No one else was injutred in the incident, which was brought under control at 4:45.

West Pilton stair fire prompts safety warning: keep it clear

Six rescued from West Pilton Rise stair fire

Fire chiefs have urged residents not to leave rubbish or bins in common stairwells in tenement blocks. The appeal follows a fire in a stair in West Pilton Rise on Monday morning.

Sixteen firefighters from Crewe Toll, Tollcross and McDonald Road fire stations attended the fire, which was also attended by Scottish Ambulance Service and Police Scotland personnel. Police Scotland also set up a Casualty Care Centre in West Pilton Park during the incident.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly extinguished the fire using a high pressure hosereel. Six people were rescued from the building by firefighters, two of whom were taken to hospital for a precautionary examination suffering from smoke inhalation. Both were later released.

“Discarded items of furniture and rubbish can produce large amounts of toxic smoke and also impede access for emergency responders. In Edinburgh, roughly 100 deliberate property fires occur every year with many of these involving combustibles in stairwells and the casualties and damage caused are preventable and we need to reduce them.

“This fire could have had far worse consequences and the impact for the families affected is likely to be significant. Any incident like this, where we have to rescue children and adults from windows, using ladders due to thick black smoke, always has the potential to have a tragic ending. Fortunately, on this occasion, those taken to hospital were for precautionary checks only but again this is not always the case.

“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. Steps should be taken to ensure the door entry/intercom system is working.

“Local firecrews revisited the location yesterday to provide vital advice, reassurance and a home fire safety visit for those who need it.”

He added: “I would like to stress the importance of having a working smoke alarm. Every household should have working smoke alarm and test them every week. We provide free home fire safety visits and fit smoke alarms where required.

“If you know someone who can benefit from our service, why not get them to give us a call? It is important that you know what to do if a fire does occur in the stairwell and how to keep safe. We can advise on this as part of the visit.

“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, or by contacting their local fire station.”

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

Free Home Fire Safety visits

If you or someone you know is at risk from fire, contact Scottish Fire and Rescue Service TODAY to arrange a free Home Fire Safety visit.

Call 0800 0731 999 or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk

Fire officer warns of stairwell dangers

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind tenants to keep their stairwells clear – especially in the run up to Christmas:

Group Manager Steve Gourlay, the City of Edinburgh Prevention and Protection Manager, said: “We would urge people not to leave rubbish or bins in the common stairwells of tenement blocks. 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 impede access for emergency responders.

In Edinburgh, roughly 100 deliberate property fires occur every year with many of these involving combustibles in stairwells – the casualties and damage caused are preventable and we need to reduce them.

“I would like to stress the importance of having a working smoke alarm. Every household should have working smoke alarm and test them every week. We provide free home fire safety visits and fit smoke alarms where required. If you know someone who can benefit from our service, why not get them to give us a call? It is important that you know what to do if a fire does occur in the stairwell and how to keep safe. We can advise on this as part of the visit.

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

St Paul's: do you have information?

Police keen to speak to group of youths

Police are appealing for witnesses following the fire at St Paul’s church in Muirhouse on Sunday night. A joint investigation by police and specialist fire investigators took place yesterday and the incident is being treated as ‘suspicious’.

Inspector Alan Carson said: “This was an appalling attack on a religious building which, despite its closure, was still of importance to the local community in Muirhouse. It was a reckless act which could well have resulted in serious injury or worse.

“We are eager to talk to anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious around the church on Sunday night.

“We are particularly keen to trace a group of youths who were seen near the church less than an hour before the fire was reported. Tracing these young people would significantly help us with our enquiries.

“Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Police Scotland immediately on 101 or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews from Crewe Toll, McDonald Road, Tollcross, Sighthill and Marionville attended the incident at9.30 on Sunday evening and brought the blaze under control just after midnight. No-one was injured.

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.

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.

Playing with fire

Don’t put yourself and your loved ones at risk by using heaters incorrectly

People are playing with fire in their efforts to find cheaper heating options this winter. Research by Electrical Safety First has revealed that many are unaware of the dangers that portable heaters can pose.

With concerns about rising energy prices forcing people to use portable heaters in order to warm their homes, the Charity is joining forces with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to warn of the risks associated with these items as part of Electrical Fire Safety Week, which runs from the 10 – 16 November.

Electrical Safety First’s research found that 78% of people were worried about the rising costs of energy bills, and over half would use portable heaters as an alternative to keep warm this winter.

However, it was also revealed that many could put themselves and their loved ones at risk by using the heaters incorrectly. 38% of people admitted that they would leave a heater switched on and unattended, whilst 21% would leave one switched on overnight. And with portable heaters having caused 11 deaths, around 77 injuries and over 290 fires in Scotland since 2009/10, the dangers posed by using them incorrectly are very real.

The elderly are particularly vulnerable. Those aged 80 and over make up nearly 40% of the fatalities caused by portable-heater fires last year, even though 33% of people would use a portable heater to keep an elderly relative warm.

In order to minimise the danger, Electrical Safety First and SFRS have produced the following guidance for heating homes safely:

• Never leave portable heaters unattended

• Never leave them on whilst sleeping

• Ensure that they are positioned well away from anything which could knock them over

• Ensure they are at least a meter away from any combustible materials, such as paper or curtains

• Never buy second hand halogen heaters

• Never power a halogen heater from an extension lead – these can easily be overloaded and cause fires

• Regularly inspect your heater for damage. If it’s damaged, don’t use it.

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service director of prevention and protection, said: “We know that winter can mean more house fires than at any other time of year and portable heaters are one of the factors which contribute to this. Fires resulting from portable heaters being placed too close to beds or furniture can have tragic consequences while using them for drying clothes, or forgetting to switch off when you go out or go to bed can also place households in danger.

“Following the advice provided by Electrical Safety First, and making sure your home has working smoke alarms, could save your life. Over the last five years three-quarters of preventable fire deaths in Scotland were people aged 50 years or over – and almost a third of people injured through fire were aged 60 or over.

“This winter we are appealing for the community to think about older people. It could be a friend, relative or neighbour.

“Our crews offer a free Home Fire Safety Visit service but we need your help to make sure every older person is offered that support. Firefighters can help householders spot fire hazards and fit smoke alarms free of charge if the home is found to need them. If you, or someone you know, could be at risk from fire, contact us now.”

On this guidance, and on the dangers posed by portable heaters, Emma Apter at Electrical Safety First said: “Having a warm home this winter is something everyone deserves, so we welcome portable heaters as a low cost option at a time when energy costs are spiralling.

“However, it is vital that the dangers associated with these items are understood – particularly as our research suggests that people are putting themselves and their loved ones at risk by using them in an unsafe way. By following our short, simple guidance, people can stay safe and stay warm this winter.”

Busy night for Scotland’s firefighters

Firefighters attend over 500 bonfires on Guy Fawkes Night

Scotland’s firefighters faced a busy 5 November with initial figures showing Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) crews responded to more than 1,100 incidents including around 507 bonfires across the country last night.

Assistant Chief Officer Dave Boyle, the SFRS director of service delivery, said: “While it will take time to establish the full picture it’s clear we have seen a significant number of incidents requiring the attendance of our crews across Scotland.

“Firefighters responded to 999 calls from the Borders to the Western Isles, many of which related to bonfires that were unsupervised or endangered homes and other buildings.

“It’s important to remember however that our crews were not only involved in bonfire-related activities, they also responded to emergencies including building fires and road traffic collisions.

“As always their professionalism and specialist skills were available and put into practice wherever they were needed to protect the public.”

The importance of that campaign for people to Join Scotland’s Fight Against Fire was made clear as crews responded to a range of emergencies throughout the country.

Firefighters from Paisley, Renfrew, Clydebank, Easterhouse and Govan responded after a car reversed into a house in Renfrewshire. No-one was hurt in the incident at Sandy Road in Renfrew but crews worked to ensure the stability of the building.

It was one of 548 reported incidents in the west of Scotland between 4pm and midnight. Of these 275 were bonfires.

Crews were faced with a busy evening in the east of Scotland with over 30 firefighters from Larbert, Denny, Falkirk and Bo’ness attending a fire in a wood chipper in Cowie near Stirling at 5.20pm.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used three jets to extinguish the fire in the wood chipper that was in the open air and they continued to dampen down and check for hotspots until 8.30pm. It was one of 429 incidents in the east of Scotland, 140 of which were bonfires.

The north of Scotland saw 192 incidents including 92 bonfires. At 6:58pm five wheelie bins were set on fire in Balloan Road, Inverness. One appliance from Inverness was dispatched and crews used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.

Two bonfires in the South Kessock area of Inverness were located by crews. One appliance from Inverness was dispatched to the scene and crews used a knapsack sprayer and hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.

And at 8.45pm an unsupervised bonfire was reported in School Road, North Tolsta, Isle of Lewis. Tyres had been thrown onto the fire and left to burn. One appliance from Stornoway attended and extinguished the fire using a hose reel jet.

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, SFRS director of prevention and protection, said: “Over the weeks and months leading up to 5 November we called on people to help prevent needless incidents and ensure firefighters could quickly get to emergencies.

“By preventing bonfire-related incidents and helping to ensure our crews and their resources could quickly get where they were needed, responsible citizens have certainly played their part in protecting communities throughout Scotland.

“Along with our partners in the police and local authorities we have been actively working to raise awareness of the risks posed by fireworks and careless and poorly built bonfires.

“The fact is that every year these result in someone being hurt and the consequences for the person and their families can be devastating.

“Firefighters in every community are always ready to respond to emergencies and do whatever they can to save lives, but the sad reality is sometimes their very best efforts won’t be enough.

“We need the public’s help to prevent tragedies and so I would like to thank everybody who celebrated Guy Fawkes Night by going to an official event, as well as anyone who alerted local authorities to the build-up of bonfire materials.”

There were a small number of minor attacks on SFRS crews which included verbal abuse and missiles thrown at appliances; fortunately with no injuries or damage incurred. These included a single incident in the north and three in the west and two in the east.

ACO Boyle added: “Attacks on emergency responders are completely unacceptable and I am sure the public would be outraged by the small number of incidents where their firefighters have been targeted while working to protect people and property.

“Those responsible should know that the authorities take their mindless criminal actions extremely seriously and we work closely with police to ensure they are identified and held to account.”

Busy night for Scotland's firefighters