The date has been set for a public inquiry into the future of a County Durham river crossing.

Traffic was banned from using Stanhope Ford in 2008, after a rise in the number of rescues from vehicles which had become stranded or swept away. Durham County Council wants the crossing to remain closed, but there have been a number of objections. The public inquiry will start on 17 January at St Thomas Church Hall, Stanhope.

Since 2001, twenty-three rescues operations have been carried out at the ford. Proposals to keep the crossing closed have been supported by police, fire and ambulance services as well as the Environment Agency. However, many local people view it as a convenient shortcut, and a number have objected to the closure.

Five people have been rescued from a fire at flats in East Renfrewshire.

Emergency services were called to the four-storey block in Centenary Court, Barrhead, at 19:53 on Thursday. Fire crews using breathing apparatus led five residents to safety, two of whom were treated in hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue is carrying out an investigation into the cause of the blaze, which broke out in a second floor flat.

An off-duty soldier has been praised for saving a woman from drowning in the River Severn. Pte Andrew Simpson, 22, from the Mercian regiment, and another rescuer held a woman in her 50s above water until firefighters arrived. The incident happened close to Washbrook Road in Bridgnorth at about 21:20 GMT on Tuesday. West Midlands Ambulance Service said it would be writing to Pte Simpson's commanding officer. Pte Simpson said: "I saw a man in the river so I just jumped in and I thought it was him that was in trouble and that's when I realised he was holding on to a woman. "He couldn't hold on for much longer so he got out of the river and I held on to her until the fire brigade arrived. "To be honest the adrenalin kicked in and I didn't really feel the cold until afterwards but my body temperature was right down."

The soldier, who is based at Catterick Barracks in North Yorkshire, was checked over at the scene but did not require hospital treatment. The ambulance service said the woman was treated at the scene for hypothermia, before being taken to Telford's Princess Royal Hospital. It said it was unclear how long she had been in the water.

The ambulance service said it would also be writing to the other rescuer, a 56-year-old man.

Two families have been forced to leave their homes following a fire on the Isle of Sheppey on Christmas Day. It broke out at about 19:30 GMT outside a house in North Road, Queenborough, and quickly spread under the property, causing a gas leak. The fire then spread to the outside of the neighbouring house, destroying a caravan parked on the drive.

Fire investigators said it was probably caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette. No-one was injured.

Alison Still, who lives in one of the houses, said if her 13-year-old son had not raised the alarm so quickly the situation would have been far worse. "I could've been coming out in body bags because I was upstairs asleep in the back bedroom," she said. Her neighbour Serena Morphey's home was also affected. She and her three children were out at the time, but her boyfriend was still inside their house. "The fire caught underneath the house and in the cavity walls and they've had to rip up floors," she said.

"There was a massive gas leak... and they can't sort it out for the next couple of weeks." Both families are staying in temporary accommodation until their homes are repaired.

A fire has broken out at a shipyard near the Russian port of Murmansk, in which a nuclear-powered submarine is being repaired, say Russian media.

Officials say no leak of radiation has been detected, according to the RIA Novosti news agency. Some local media reports say the fire is on the submarine itself, but there is no confirmation of this. The authorities in the region say eleven fire crews and a navy launch are at the scene.

A family of 17 have escaped from a house fire in Oxfordshire.

Crews were called to a home in Manor Crescent, Didcot, late on Tuesday after a neighbour saw the fire in a first-floor bedroom and raised the alarm. When firefighters arrived several members of the family were attempting to tackle the fire.

Nobody was hurt although three people were checked over by ambulance crews. The cause of the blaze was accidental, the fire service said.

An MP from Lowestoft in Suffolk is calling on laws to be changed so that automatic fire sprinklers are made mandatory in all new homes and buildings.

Waveney MP Peter Aldous is calling on the government to require that sprinklers be fitted to all new residential and commercial buildings to prevent a repeat of a fire that recently ripped through a food factory in Lowestoft. The Wessex Foods burger factory was badly damaged in July last year, with more than 100 firefighters required to tackle the blaze.

In a House of Commons debate this week, Mr Aldous said sprinklers need to be fitted in all new buildings because of the cuts being made to fire services, the Eastern Daily Press reports. Speaking to the news provider, the MP said: "Despite the size of the building, at approximately 5,000 square metres, and the use to which it was put, sprinklers had not been fitted. "If they had been the outcome would have been completely different."

Currently, the law stipulates that buildings in England only require sprinklers if they are more than 20,000 square metres in size.

Four people had to be rescued from a tenement block in Scotland after a fire broke out in a communal area on the ground floor of the building.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service were called to the blaze in Port Glasgow at around 11.30pm on Tuesday (20th December). Firefighters found several people trapped inside the building by the heat and thick smoke emanating from the flames and were seen leaning out of windows desperately calling for help. Fire crews had to rescue a man and a woman from a ground-floor window as well as two women from the first floor.

All four were treated at the scene by paramedics, with two of the women later taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital after suffering from smoke inhalation.

Local police and the fire service have launched an investigation to establish the cause of the blaze.

More exciting news this month as Active Fire Management announces a range of dates when the company will be delivering training in Gibraltar. The training courses, which are scheduled to be delivered in February 2012 are already generating much interest and a number of bookings were made almost as soon as the dates were announced. The training will be held across a ten day period commencing on 08 February 2012 and will include a range of HSE approved First Aid Courses such as a one day Emergency First Aid at Work Course, a three day First Aid at Work Course and a two day Requalification First Aid at Work Course. Fire Training will also be held and any enquiries can be made via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The company has also recently launched two brand new websites – www.activefiremanagement.co.uk and www.activefirstaidtraining.co.uk where further details can also be found regarding the courses.

A young woman has been jailed for 26 months for starting two fires in her Dumfries flat in a matter of weeks - both of which led to rescue operations.

Sarah Mitchell, 19, caused damage estimated at £18,000 to the property in the town's Barrie Avenue. She admitted setting fire to clothing behind a door in June, to the danger of occupants in neighbouring flats. She also pled guilty to acting with another woman in September and wilfully setting fire to clothing in the flat.

At Dumfries Sheriff Court, Mitchell was also made the subject of a supervised release order for 12 months.

In the first incident she had to be given oxygen through a window before being taken unconscious to Dumfries Infirmary.

On the second occasion she had to be rescued by fire crews after a police officer was unable to enter because of the blaze and she was taken to the intensive care unit at the hospital.

After his furniture store went up in flames during the London riots, 80-year-old Maurice Reeve came out of retirement to lead his family business through the crisis, and he also set out to find out how a town he had always thought so safe, could descend into arson and looting.

Maurice explains "I never thought in a million years my shop, which had stood for 145 years, would be brought to the ground. I felt helpless, sad and physically sick. Afterwards I was interviewed by TV crews from around the world and said on the news that even Shakespeare could not put into words just how awful I felt. I was totally unaware what was going on in Croydon that night. It was my wedding anniversary and I was up in London at the National Gallery with my wife and we had a lovely meal out. I came back and put the television on and in the next second there was my building on fire. Those memories are etched in my mind. It was cruel really. They didn't steal anything. It was wanton destruction".

A hotel in Newquay has been damaged after a fire broke out in the building on the morning of the 14th December 2011. More than fifty firefighters were called to the Pendennis Hotel at Mount Wise, which has been occupied by squatters, on Wednesday morning at around 5.30am.

Twelve people from a nearby building were evacuated into a local hotel and the surrounding area was cordoned off. Nigel Vincent from Cornwall fire and rescue service told the news provider: "The wind was in our favour. The Pendennis is contained in its own grounds.

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.

Local police are treating the blaze as suspicious.

A man who tried to set his girlfriend's killer on fire with petrol in Edinburgh has been jailed for three years.

Allister Gibb, 32, threw the potentially lethal liquid over Robert Chalmers, 59, outside the High Court in Edinburgh in May 2011. He then pushed aside security guards and tried to set him alight using a cigarette lighter. The security guards managed to regain control of the situation and pushed him away before he could spark a fireball. Chalmers had been convicted at the court a few hours earlier of killing Samantha Wright, 24, before dumping her body in a wheelie bin in Duddingston, Edinburgh, in October 2009.

The court heard Allister Gibb wanted revenge for his girlfriend's murder. Last month Gibb, from Edinburgh, pleaded guilty to endangering the life of Chalmers and Reliance security guards Alan Simpson and Kevin McDonagh.

Passing sentence, Sheriff Arthurson said court reports concluded Gibb had expressed a complete "lack of remorse" for attacking Chalmers. He added: "This offence is so serious that I have considered making a remit to the High Court for sentencing." "I am able to sympathise in relation to your distress that was caused from being a witness in a High Court trial for murder."

Robert Chalmers was found guilty of killing Samantha Wright in Edinburgh. "However, you placed the Reliance Security guards and the main complainer in a position of danger." "I also note that you have a complete lack of remorse for what you have done with regard to the main complainer."

At the earlier hearing, depute fiscal Ian Wallace told the court how Gibb launched his attack as Chalmers was being led away to begin his life in prison. He said Gibb was waiting beside the security van which was ready to take Chalmers away to Saughton jail in Edinburgh.

Chalmers was jailed for life in June 2011 at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Step 1. Make a home fire escape plan.

Step 2. Test your smoke alarms.

Step 3: Clear the way

Step 4: Walk through the plan with every member of your family.

Step 5: Do the Drill.

Step 6: Talk about the Drill.

Taking on home improvement projects can be fun and save you money, but do them safely. Here are some tips to stay safe while you do-it-yourself.

• Keep a stocked first aid kit near every work area. First aid may make the difference between a quick recovery and permanent injury.

Carbon monoxide is known as “the silent killer.” You cannot see it, smell it or taste it. CO claims the lives of nearly 300 people in their homes each year. CO is a deadly gas that is produced by fuel-burning heating equipment, such as furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces, and kerosene heaters. Follow these guidelines to help keep your family safer.

Potential CO Sources:

CO can build up in your home if you use equipment and appliances that burn fuel but are not working properly. Have a service person check these things every year to be sure they are working properly.

The following equipment should only be used outside

• Barbeque or gas grill

The smallest room in your home can have many dangers. Drowning, burns, falls, poisoning, electrical shock – all these things can happen in your bathroom. Keep young children out of the bathroom unless you are watching them carefully. Here are some other ways to keep your family safe in the bathroom.

Protect Young Children

Prevent Fire

Prevent Electrical Shock Injuries

Protect Young Children

Outdoors

1.) Don't play with matches and lighters. If you see matches or a lighter where you can reach them, don't touch them. Go tell a grown up right away.

2.) Ask your parents to install smoke detectors on every floor and in the sleeping areas of your home. Smoke detectors can save lives. Ask your parents to show you where each one is located.

3.) Remind your parents to test your smoke detectors every month. Make sure everyone in your family is familiar with its piercing sound. Teach them that this sound means danger, and they must escape quickly.

4.) When your parents change the time on your clocks for Daylight Savings, ask them to change your smoke alarm batteries. Give it fresh batteries and your smoke alarm will stay awake and watch for fire while you are sleeping.

5.) In case of fire: DON'T HIDE, GO OUTSIDE! Fires are scary, but you should NEVER hide in closets or under beds when there is a fire.

6.) To escape during a fire; Fall & Crawl. It is easier to breath in a fire if you stay low while getting out.Use the back of your hand to test if a door is hot before you open it. If it is hot, try to use another way out.

7.) If your clothes are on fire; Stop, Drop, and Roll until the fire is out. Shout for help, but don't run. Running makes fire burn faster.

8.) Have an escape plan and practice it with your family. Find two ways out of every room in case one way is blocked by fire or smoke. Practice escaping by both routes to be sure windows are not stuck and screens can be taken out quickly.

9.) Choose a meeting place outside, such as a big tree or the end of the driveway, so you will know that everyone has gotten out safely. NEVER go back into a burning building for any reason. If someone is missing, tell the firefighters. They have the clothing and equipment to safely rescue people.

10.) Know your local emergency number. Put stickers and magnets with emergency numbers on yourfridge and every telephone in the house. If there is a fire at your house, choose one family member to leave your meeting place and call the fire department from a neighbors phone.

Fire Safety Legislation

What is The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?

The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety has a large impact on all types of premises including offices, shops, warehouses, factories, industrial units, pubs, clubs and restaurants, educational premises, leisure centres, community halls and premises, places of worship, care homes, hotels, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and all types of housing with shared common areas. It has abolished the requirement for certain premises to hold a fire certificate and instead requires any person who exercises some level of control in any non-domestic premises to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and ensure occupants can safely escape if a fire does occur. This starts with a fire risk assessment which is now required under fire safety legislation. The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order, made under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001 has replaced over 70 separate pieces of fire safety legislation such as The Fire Precautions Act, Licensing Act and Housing Acts with a single Order.

For more details of the regulatory reform fire safety order please click here.

Alternatively our fire risk assessors would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the regulatory reform fire safety order.

Our fire risk assessors can provide details of other fire safety legislation relevant to your premises as well as the regulatory reform fire safety upon request.

For further information about Active Fire Management’s fire risk assessment, consultancy and training services please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us on 0333 016 4224. Our staff will be pleased to hear from you and discuss any specific fire risk assessment or other needs you may have. If you feel you may not be complying with the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order or other fire safety legislation, our fire risk assessors would be happy to discuss this with you, in confidence.

Fire safety crews are still at the scene of a blaze that broke out in a steelworks in Wales earlier today (12th December). The fire is believed to have started in one of the operating lines at the Llanwern steelworks in Newport, which is owned by Tata, at around midnight.

Firefighters managed to contain the blaze, but 20 officers have remained at the cold rolling plant to dampen down the fire.

A spokesman for Tata, which employs 1,400 workers at the plant, confirmed that work on the line affected by the fire has since stopped, although production is continuing on other lines.

"All team members in the affected area have been accounted for and there have been no injuries," he said.

"There has been no risk to the local community and the emergency services are in attendance and the incident is contained."

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

A simulation exercise is due to be held in Gloucestershire this week to test the local fire brigade's incident response time.

On Tuesday (13th December), 15 fire engines and 100 firefighters from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) will tackle a mock blaze at the Registry nightclub.

The venue will be full of "volunteer clubbers", allowing GFRS to develop and improve firefighting and searching skills under controlled conditions.

Jon Hall, Gloucestershire's chief fire officer said: "This is a valuable opportunity for us to practice firefighting on a large scale under testing conditions.

"This scale of exercise is also a very public demonstration to the community we serve that we are a highly-professional organisation who are here to protect them whenever they need

us."

Local police, paramedics and emergency planners will also be involved in the exercise. Although simulated fires are often held on a small scale, fire services across the country will rarely

have the opportunity to do so on such a large scale.

The owner of a Hertfordshire restaurant and one of his employees have been fined more than £12,000 for breaching fire safety regulations.

Kamruz Zaman and staff member Adiel Choudhury of the Red Ginger restaurant in Bushey both pleaded guilty to several offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at Stevenage magistrates court on 1st December.

Fire investigators prosecuted the pair after a small fire was started in the premises by arsonists, requiring one employee sleeping upstairs to escape through a first-floor window. 

Subsequent assessments revealed that the fire alarm system was not working and the pair had failed to provide safe emergency routes and exits.

Mr Zaman was fined £5,750 and Mr Choudhury £6,000 for the offences, with the total fine amounting to £20,941 when coupled with costs of £9,161 and victim surcharges.

"Where breaches of fire legislation are considered so serious that there is a risk of death or serious injury to persons, we will consider prosecution," said Hertfordshire's chief fire officer, Roy Wilsher.

"In this case members of the public and employees were put at risk and one employee was extremely fortunate to escape with his life."

An industrial estate in Preston has been damaged after a fire broke out in the premises in the early hours of this morning.

Fire crews were called to the three-storey building in Laurel Street in the Avenham area of the city at about 1:30am.

Upon their arrival, firefighters found that the whole building was alight and began tackling the blaze with five jets and one aerial ladder platform monitor. Fire officers are still at the scene.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire Service told the BBC that the fire is believed to have started on the top floor of the building.

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.

A builders' merchants in Wales has been damaged after a second fire in five months tore through the building yesterday (6th December).

Fire crews were called to the Boys and Boden building in Welshpool shortly before 2pm, reports BBC News.

Six fire engines and an aerial platform from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the blaze, from which no one was hurt.

It is believed the fire started in an extractor fan before spreading throughout the premises.

In July, firefighters were called to the company after a blaze broke out in the eaves of the building.

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 PersonResponsible Person can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years.

Chemicals stored in drums caught alight in a blaze at a boatyard in Cornwall this morning (6th December).

Five fire engines were called to the site in Penryn after four drums believed to contain phosgene, a gas used in weapons during World War I and now by pharmaceutical companies, caught fire.

The drums have since been dampened down and 30 nearby residents have been moved as a precaution. Police officers have also cordoned off the area around the boatyard in Islington Wharf.

A spokesman for the council said: "The fire is under control and a 100 metre cordon has been erected around the site as a precautionary measure.

"So far 30 local residents have been evacuated from the scene and a rest centre is being set up in the local area."

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.

A fire broke out in an underground car park in Glasgow last week after two cars caught alight.

Fire crews found both unoccupied cars aflame upon their arrival at the building in Midland Street at around 5.10pm on Saturday (3rd December).

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service were concerned that the fire could quickly spread to other vehicles in the car park and the building itself. However, firefighters using breathing

apparatus and jets managed to quickly extinguish the flames before they could reach other cars.

There were no reports of any injuries in the conflagration, which generated a large amount of thick acrid smoke.

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in Scotland under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

If this fire risk assessment is judged to have not been carried out to a suitable extent, the Duty Holder for the establishment can face up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

A fire which broke out at a disused pub in Staffordshire yesterday morning (December 5th) was started deliberately, according to the local fire service.
More than 30 firefighters were called to The Queen of Hearts pub in Bucknall, which has been shut for around two years.

Fire crews spent more than three hours tackling the blaze, which produced thick acrid smoke.

Glynn Luznyj, assistant area manager for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed that an investigation established that the fire was deliberately started and the police have now been informed.

He said: "It appears that fires were set on the ground and first floor which spread throughout the building.

"Whoever started this fire obviously didn't think about the lives they endangered, including their own."

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

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.

Kitchen equipment, cooking and food and drink, are responsible for more than half of all burns and scalds. Follow these safety tips to keep your child out of harm’s way.

First aid courses

It is a good idea for all parents and carers to learn first aid. For further information on first aid courses, click on the links below.

There is no legal age limit for leaving a child on their own, but it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk. Parents can be prosecuted if they leave a child unsupervised ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’ (Children and Young Person’s Act).

Finding childcare

Finding somebody to look after your child when you can't may be easier, and more affordable, than you think. For more information on all your childcare options, click on the links below.

Every week around 500 children under five are rushed to hospital because it's thought they have swallowed something poisonous. Find out how putting a few simple measures in place can stop this happening to your child.

First aid

If you think your child has swallowed a harmful medicine or chemical:

• get advice immediately from your pharmacist, doctor or accident and emergency department  – or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647
• find the bottle or packet and take it with you if you go to the hospital
• don’t give your child salt water or anything else to make them sick
• don’t give your child anything to drink – just wet their lips with cold water if they are burning
• if the child is unconscious or there is burning to the mouth, dial 999 immediately to call an ambulance

Here are some measures you can take in your home to make sure your children stay safe:

It's important to talk through with children what to do if there's a fire – don't avoid it for fear of frightening them. Children need to know how to react, as there may not be an adult around to tell them what to do if a fire happens. Here are the basic instructions to give to your children:

• if they see smoke or flames, they should tell someone straight away – a grown-up if possible
• get out of the building as soon as possible
• never go back into the building for anything
• never hide in a cupboard or under a bed – get out of the house and call for help straight away
• find a phone and call 999, and ask for the fire and rescue service – give the address of the fire slowly and calmly
• make sure that children know their address so they can raise the alarm

Know your escape route

Plan an escape route and make sure that everyone in the house is familiar with it, including children, childminders and babysitters. Keep all exits clear and practise the escape plan with children.

The best way to teach children about fire safety is by example. Let your children see you being sensible and careful about cooking, candles and other potential fire risks. Find out more about talking to children about fire – and what they should do if there is one.

Fire and children

Fire is one of the most common causes of accidental injury and death among children. They are naturally drawn to the warmth and light of fire, but without proper guidance this can turn into a dangerous fascination. The following tips will help keep your children out of harm's way.

Talking to your children about fire

Give children under five clear instructions of what they should and shouldn’t do. With older children, it’s better to also explain why. You will probably need to talk about fire safety more than once, to make sure they have remembered and understood what you have taught them. Tell them:

• To tell a grown-up if they see matches or lighters lying around
• Never to play with matches, lighters or lighted candles
• Never to play, or leave toys, close to a fire or heater
• Not to put things on top of heaters or lights
• Not to pull on electric cables or fiddle with electrical appliances or sockets
• Never to switch on the cooker or put anything on top of it
• Never to touch any saucepans on the cooker

Relatives of those who died in a London tower block fire over two years ago have made an official complaint to the police following a delay in the investigation.

In an interview with BBC News, a lawyer acting for the family members of those who perished at Lakanal House in Camberwell revealed that the Metropolitan Police investigation would not be completed for the next pre-inquest hearing on 16th December.

This has prompted relatives to complain to the authorities as in July 2011 they were assured that the police investigation was nearing completion. An inquest cannot proceed until the investigation is concluded.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police claimed that the delays were due to the complexities of the investigation.

Six people, including a three week-old baby, died in the blaze at the block of flats on the Sceaux Gardens Estate in July 2009.

Around 30 people had to be rescued from the 12-storey tower block as the fire spread through the building, with 100 families left homeless.

Guests at a Cheshire castle which was due to hold a wedding reception earlier this year were saved by the 'efficiency' of a fire alarm, it has been claimed.

Bridegroom Max Kay of Liverpool started the blaze at Peckforton Castle Hotel in Tarporley at 5am on 19th June after drinking a large amount of vodka.

At Chester Crown Court, the 36-year-old admitted arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered but denied a charge of arson with intent to destroy or damage property and to endanger life, which was accepted by the prosecution.

Around one hundred firefighters tackled the fire at the 19th century country house and had to evacuate 200 people.

Prosecutor Duncan Bould attributed the fact that no-one was injured in the blaze to the work of the castle's staff and its fire detection system.

He said: "There were a large number of guests staying that night.

"Fortunately, and it is good fortune, the premises was equipped with a very efficient fire alarm and the combination of that and the staff meant that all the guests were able to be evacuated."

The fire is estimated to have caused approximately £6 million worth of damage.

A disused factory in Lancashire has been badly damaged after fire tore through the building this morning (5th December).

Fire crews were called to the facility in Darwen at around 12.15am after thick smoke was seen billowing from the site, reports the Lancashire Telegraph.

Nearby residents were told to keep their windows and doors locked to keep the smoke out of their homes, while local police officers closed off surrounding roads.

Watch manager Tony Ashworth, of Rawtenstall Fire Station, told the news provider: "There was a lot of smoke emanating from the factory yard and it [the fire] was rapidly developing in the outhouses.

"We used a special jet on the ariel ladder platform and monitor to help bring the fire under control. The building was totally damaged by fire."

The fire is being treated as suspicious.

The latest National Statistics and analysis in detail on fires, casualties, and false alarms attended by the Fire and Rescue Services in the United Kingdom were released on Friday 25 November 2011 under the auspices of the UK Statistics Authority.

Key points from the publication include:

Smokers' materials, predominantly cigarettes, were the source of ignition in the fires that accounted for 96 of the 268 fatalities in accidental dwelling fires in 2010-11.

Smoke alarms were absent from the fire area in 37 per cent of dwelling fires (16,400 fires). Of the total of 306 dwelling fires fatalities in the Great Britain in 2010-11, 112 (37 per cent) of these fatalities were in fires where there was no smoke alarm present, and a further 76 fatalities (25 per cent) where a smoke alarm was present but did not operate.

The proportion of households with a working smoke alarm increased rapidly from 8 per cent in 1988 to 70 per cent in 1994, and has continued to rise in recent years to 86 per cent in 2008.

More than half (51 per cent) of accidental fires in homes arose from cooking. Other common sources of ignition were: electrical appliances (12 per cent), electrical distribution (10 per cent), smokers' materials (7 per cent), and space heating appliances (4 per cent).

Click here for a full copy of the report.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/568234.pdf

This release presents statistics which are referred to as the year ending September 2017 (1 October 2016 to 30 September 2017) for fire and rescue services (FRSs) in England. This is the second set of statistics published by the Home Office that cover the Grenfell Tower fire.

The results show:

FRSs attended 566,572 incidents in the year ending September 2017. This was a three per cent increase compared with the previous year (548,899) but a 34 per cent decrease compared with ten years ago (854,371 in 2006/07). The total number of incidents was on a downward trend for around a decade, though they have increased in recent years mainly driven by increases in non-fire incidents attended. However, the increase this year was mainly driven by an increase in fires attended.

FRSs attended 170,519 fires in the year ending September 2017. This was a nine per cent increase compared with the previous year (156,671) but a 49 per cent decrease compared with ten years ago (336,233 in 2006/07). FRSs attended 222,997 fire false alarms in the year ending September 2017. This was an increase of less than one per cent compared with the previous year (222,222) but a 37 per cent decrease compared with ten years ago (352,136).

FRSs attended 173,056 non-fire incidents in the year ending September 2017. This was a two per cent increase compared with the previous year (170,006). For around a decade, there had been a general decline in the number of non-fire incidents. However, the last two years have shown large increases, largely due to a rise in medical incidents attended. Of all incidents attended by FRSs in the year ending September 2017, fires accounted for 30 per cent and non-fire incidents 31 per cent. The remaining 39 per cent were fire false alarms, which continued to be the largest incident type. In 2006/07 these percentages were 39 per cent (fires attended), 19 per cent (non-fire incidents) and 41 per cent (fire false alarms).

The number of fire-related fatalities had been on a general downward trend since 1981/82 when there were 755 fire-related fatalities.

In the year ending September 2017, however, there were 346 fire-related fatalities (including 71 from the Grenfell Tower fire) compared with 253 in the previous year (an increase of 37%). There were 3,297 non-fatal casualties requiring hospital treatment1 in the year ending September 2017 (including 77 from the Grenfell Tower fire). This was a four per cent increase compared with the previous year (3,159) but a 23 per cent decrease compared with five years ago (4,297 in 2011/12).

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More than 30 firefighters have fought a blaze at a boxing gym in the east end of Glasgow.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue service were called to the incident at Morrison's Gym in the Dalmarnock area of the city at around 4.15pm on Thursday (1st December).

Upon their arrival, the seven fire crews revealed that around half of the single-storey building was ablaze. No one was injured in the fire. A full forensic investigation is due to begin today in order to determine the cause of the blaze.

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in Scotland under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

If this fire risk assessment is judged to have not been carried out to a suitable extent, the Duty Holder for the establishment can face up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

The gym is owned by famous boxing promoter Alex Morrison, who manages world champion Ricky Burns.

A historic building in Edinburgh has been damaged after fire tore through the structure in the early hours of yesterday morning (1st December).

Fire crews were called to the grade-A listed Cramond Tower in Cramond Glebe Road at around 1.40am.

Around 30 firefighters were at the scene at the height of the blaze, which is believed to have started in the roof of the 15th century tower.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the flames at 4am but remained on the site to help carry out salvage work. No-one was injured in the blaze.

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in Scotland under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

If this fire risk assessment is judged to have not been carried out to a suitable extent, the Duty Holder for the establishment can face up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

A senior fire official has underlined the potential fire risks of home electrical equipment following a blaze at a garage in north Wales this week.

Firefighters were called to the large garage in Flintshire, which is part of the Soughton Hall Hotel, at 11.23pm on Tuesday (29th November) and used one main jet and one hose reel to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjoining Stables restaurant.

The fire was brought under control by 2:30am the following morning, with firefighters remaining at the scene afterwards to ensure it was fully extinguished.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service believe the fire was caused by a fault in the electrics on a large diesel ride-on lawnmower parked in the garage.

Terry Williams from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "This incident should remind people of the importance of making sure all electrical equipment in their homes are safe and are being used correctly and serviced and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions."

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.

More exciting developments in May 2011 when the Active Fire Management team ventured to Gibraltar for the official opening of their new operation to extend expertise in Fire Consultancy, Fire Training, First Aid Training and Soft Skills Training (personal development training and management training) to businesses and organisations in Gibraltar.

The event was marked by a free one day seminar held in a local hotel where representatives from many of the Rock’s most largest and successful businesses attended to receive free information on a wide range of subjects.  The day was separated into three sections covering fire safety in the morning, followed by management/personal development training in the afternoon along with an additional presentation on the importance of first aid which included the attendees taking part in a practical CPR exercise.  To celebrate the opening further some of the team took part in the Walk for Life to raise funds for local charities.

Responsible Person Training Continues for the UK’s Largest Non-Profit Care Provider

Housing 21 is a leading organisation working across England to ensure that later life remains happy and fulfilling and to ensure their clients live independently as part of their community, continuing doing things they enjoy and having choice and control over their lives.  Housing 21 achieve this through excellent housing, care and health services.  As the UK’s largest non-profit care provider and national leader in innovative and affordable housing, Housing 21 make a difference on a large scale.  Their established links with communities mean they also respond on a local level by developing new services that meet the needs of older people.

Active Fire Management are privileged to meet many of Housing 21’s employees every month as the training team deliver numerous Fire Marshal/Responsible Person type training courses to the organisations scheme managers.  The courses are delivered on a nationwide basis ranging from Kent to Tyne and Wear and are tailor made for the customers exact needs covering their own Fire Safety Manual, evacuation plans and PEEPS (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans)

In Service Fire Training Commences for Support Staff at Ashcroft Care Services

For several years, Active Fire Management have been the preferred provider of fire training courses to Ashcroft Care Services who are a care provider in Surrey supporting adults with learning difficulties to develop fulfilling lifestyles in their own homes and in shall, high quality residential services.  The training, which is specifically tailored to meet the customer’s exact training needs is actually delivered directly to staff within the scheme setting and covers the findings of the fire risk assessment for each individual scheme as well as other fire related subjects and a practical smoke exercise.  Approximately 16 training courses will be delivered in total between November 2011 and January 2012.

Ashcroft Care Services provides support services to people with many types of disability including people whose challenging behaviours has developed because of a learning disability, people with specific syndromes and people with associated mental health problems.  Ashcroft support their service users with many aspects of their lives, including physical and mental wellbeing, medication, behavioural management, developmental and social activities and financial management.

A teacher and a six-year-old boy have been injured in a blaze at a school in Milton Keynes.

Emergency services were called to the incident at Hazeley Academy at around 1.10pm yesterday (30th November).

A 35-year-old female teacher was taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital by helicopter after suffering burns to her face and body and is currently in a stable condition. The boy was also taken to hospital with superficial burn injuries to his face and is also in a stable condition.

A spokesman for Buckingham Fire and Rescue Service revealed that the blaze started in a science lab.

"It was what appeared to be an experiment in a science lab which caused a ball of flame," he told BBC News.

"It was a flash fire which injured two people who were presumably quite close to it."

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

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.

Fire Risk Assessments in Multiple Types of Property

Active Fire Management carries out fire risk assessments in a huge variety of premises throughout the country, but February saw the team carry out assessments in a property type new to its portfolio.  London Borough of Lambeth engaged the services of Active Fire Management to carry out fire risk assessments in two crematoria.  The assessments covered the entire premises including areas for the public attending cremation services and buildings housing the cremators, charging rooms where coffins are loaded as well as remembrance areas and chapels, waiting rooms and other public facilities.  Our Senior Fire Consultant said “ we did find some issues with a long single direction of travel distance for the works in the crematoria which were able to overcome by recommending a fire alarm system to provide an early warning of fire to the workers”.

Other risk assessments carried out by the company this month were very varied and included a hotel in East Sussex, a law firms offices as well as a number of other office premises across London and a number of housing associations across London, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Essex and West Sussex.

These may be frequently uttered words at the headquarters of Active Fire Management but this month saw another new customer arrive when we welcomed Snobfood to our operation who engaged our services to carry out fire risk assessments within four of the “Napket” outlets all located in the city of London.  Napket are a range of café/bistro restaurants - as well as providing those services, Napket also provide delivery and catering services for functions and events as well as a very fine cup of coffee.  For more information visit www.napket.com.  Active Fire Management will also be delivering a tailored Fire Marshal/Responsible Person Training Course for a number of Snobfood’s managers next month.  Company Director, Kerry Lawrence, said “we are proud to welcome Snobfood as a new customer to our operation and we are delighted to be able to assist with both the training needs as well as the risk assessments needs of the customer.  Our professional, friendly approach and reliable customer services means that we see more and more of our customers utilising multiple services available from us”.

Residential Care Home Staff Fire Training

A warm welcome to Watermoor House this month as we extend our training services to this beautiful Residential Home for frail older people. Situated in the heart of the busy market town of Cirencester, in the South Cotswolds area, Active Fire Management spent two days on site delivering a range of training courses.  Watermoor House aims to provide a homely and caring environment in which residents are encouraged to maintain their independence, and to continue to make their own decisions about how they wish to live their lives and as such, as well as providing basic fire safety training and fire marshal training to Watermoor House’s staff, a special two hour course was also delivered directly to all 38 of the Residential Homes residents.

Paint Pots – a Montessori Nursery School in London awarded Active Fire Management a training contract to provide Fire Safety Training to their school staff. The one day course was delivered at the end of this by fully qualified instructors and the course was customised to meet the exact requirements of the customer whilst embracing the needs of the recommended practises for fire safety training. The course was delivered in central London. Fire safety training continues to be an essential risk management tool for organisations who handle their health and safety policies with training from professional organisations such as AFM. For further information visit www.activefiremanagement.co.uk. In the mid-80s, after several years of training as a young entrepreneur, Georgina Hood founded Paint Pots Montessori Nursery School in Bayswater and Paint Pots House, Creative Classes. The initial success of this school and Paint Pots House led to the development of The Paint Pots Montessori Nursery Schools and family. Chelsea Paint Pots was established in 1995 and Hyde Park Paint Pots followed in 2004.