05 May 2012

Patients and staff at a hospital in Gloucestershire were evacuated after a small fire broke out in the building on May 3rd. Firefighters were called to the North Cotswold Community Hospital in Moreton-in-Marsh at around 4.30pm following reports of a strong smell of burning.

The hospital was subsequently evacuated as crews from the area attended the incident. Upon their arrival, fire safety officers found that the blaze, which is believed to have started in a physiotherapy machine, had already been extinguished.They remained on the scene for an additional 40 minutes to ensure the area was safe.

As part of our nationwide services, Active Fire Management conducts fire risk assessments at hospitals throughout the UK. Our services include providing consultancy support in fire safety, fire drills and general management of fire standards. To read more about our fire safety services for hospitals click on the following link: Fire Safety Hospitals.

05 May 2012

Eight teenagers have been given suspended sentences over arson attacks in a north London borough.Five of these youths were tried over a fire at a scrapyard in Mill Hill which resulted in the closure of a stretch of the M1 motorway in April last year.

They were cleared of the M1 fire, but they were convicted along with four other youths of involvement in fires close to the M1 in Barnet that month. The eight teenagers were sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court. The ninth person, a 15-year-old, who was also acquitted of the M1 fire but convicted of two counts of conspiracy to commit arson, will be sentenced on 9 May.

The fire at the scrapyard closed a 6.5-mile stretch of the M1 for several days and caused £4.5m of damage.The court heard the teenagers photographed themselves next to the fires using their mobile phones and uploaded the pictures on to Facebook.

Statistics show that over 2,100 fire incidents are started deliberately every week. Click on the following link to read more about Arson Prevention.

Active Fire Management looks at the risk of arson as part of their extensive Fire Risk Assessments. Our fire risk assessment reports include observations, findings and recommendations that our fire risk assessors identify that are relevant to ensure you comply with The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order and other relevant fire safety legislation.

03 May 2012

A hotel on the Isle of Wight is to remain closed for "at least a year" after a fire broke out during a wedding reception, the owners have said.

The Ryde Castle Hotel had partially collapsed in the fire on 17 March. Investigations are still ongoing to find out if a fireworks display during the wedding reception caused the blaze. Owners Greene King said the damage was "extensive" and the "repair work required to restore the building has not yet been confirmed". No one had been injured and everyone inside the historic building had been evacuated.

Police had been informed about the fireworks display at the hotel about two hours before crews were called to the fire. The 18-bedroom hotel overlooks Ryde Esplanade and Harbour. It is thought to have been built in about 1840 as a private family home. During World War I, the building was used as a hospital and during World War II it was an army headquarters.

03 May 2012

A sprinkler system installed at a TX Maxx factory in Staffordshire helped contain a blaze which broke out at the site.

Fire crews were alerted to the incident at the facility in Chesterton by an automatic fire alarm system and found that sprinklers had already activated and controlled the blaze.

Around 36 staff were evacuated from the factory as firefighters from Newcastle, Ashley and Sandyford tackled the fire, which started in a bailing machine.Station manager Ian Read revealed that the sprinkler system had restricted the damage caused by the blaze to the affected machine.

Fire Risk Assessment

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales. If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years. Active Fire Management has over 11 years experience of providing fire risk assessments nationwide. Our qualified fire risk assessors come with proven experience and qualifications. For further information on our fire risk assessment service email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us on 08700 672 757. To find our more about our fire risk assessment services click on the following link - fire risk assessment.

01 May 2012

A woman trapped in her Sheffield home by fire says she was saved by a fire service operator.

Liam Booth from South Yorkshire fire service spoke calmly to Sinead Bowden when she made a 999 call saying she was unable to get out of the house because of smoke from a burning microwave. Ms Bowden said Mr Booth "really did save my life".

When firefighters arrived at her house they extinguished the fire and once the smoke had cleared led her downstairs to safety.