Crews called to Kingston University after student sets fire to coursework #firesafety
Fire crews called to Kingston University
Fire crews were called to Kingston University after a student accidentally set fire to her coursework just hours before it was due to be handed in.
The female student was trying to seal some fabric when it caught alight and set off the fire alarm at Clayhill halls of residence in Surbiton on Tuesday morning (15th May), reports Your Local Guardian.
The fire spread when the student, who suffered minor burns to her hands, tried to control the flames by putting the fabric in a bin full of paper tissues.
Fire safety contractor sentenced for fraud #firesafety #fireprosecution #fraud
Director pleaded guilty of fraud
The director of a fire safety company that falsely claimed to be accredited in its bids for large NHS contracts has been convicted of fraud by false representation.
An investigation by NHS Protect, responsible for highlighting and preventing crime in the NHS, revealed that Cotswold Fire Group (CFG) had lied about its accredited status in bids to the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Director Julian Price pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at Gloucester Crown Court and sentenced to a 40-week suspended sentence, 150 hour community service order and costs of £1500.
Government unaware of cost of different AFA responses across country #firesafety #firealarms
Fire Brigade
The government is unaware of the cost to businesses of fire brigades across the country each operating their own attendance policy for automatic fire alarms (AFAs).
Chris Williamson, Shadow Fire Minister and MP for Derby North, asked a written question to officials from the Communities and Local Government department to estimate how much firms lose out from the implementation of separate attendance policies to AFAs.
In response, Bob Neil, parliamentary under secretary of state at communities and local government, revealed that no such estimate had been made.
Sprinklers contain furniture factory fire #firesafety #sprinklers
Sprinkler Systems
A fire at a furniture manufacturing facility has been contained by the activation of a sprinkler system.
Two appliances were sent to Bridge Mills in Long Eaton, Derbyshire shortly after 1.00 am on 14 April in response to a call received from a member of the public who had heard an alarm and had seen smoke in the area.
An operational risk inspection had been carried out by the crew the previous week and they knew the building was covered by sprinklers.
Crews tackle blaze at Staffordshire industrial unit #firesafety #staffordshirefire
Fire in Staffordshire
A large fire broke out in an industrial unit in Staffordshire yesterday afternoon (29th April).
Firefighters spent five hours tackling the blaze at the empty facility in Caroline Street, Longton, reports the Sentinel.
Police were forced to close a number of roads while crews battled the blaze and a nearby section of railway line was also closed.
Inspector Kevin Treacy, from Staffordshire Police, told the news provider: "Due to the size of the fire, a number of roads were closed for safety reasons.
Sheffield ski village destroyed in blaze #firesafety #fire #yorkshire
Fire at Sheffield Ski Village
A ski village in Sheffield has been destroyed after a fire broke out in the site's main building.
Around 30 firefighters were called to Sheffield Ski Village in Vale Road just before 1am on Sunday (29th April).
Crews were forced to battle the flames, which shot up to 40 feet into the air, from outside the building as the fire was so intense.
The fire was eventually brought under control by 4am after crews pumped 3,000 litres of water a minute onto the fire from the nearby River Don. There are no reported injuries.
CCTV: Girl falls through pavement in china #cctv #video
Extraordinary CCTV video has emerged of the moment a girl fell through the pavement into a sinkhole in Xi'an, Northern China.
The incredible footage then shows the scene as a passing taxi driver follows the girl down the hole in order to help rescue her.
Wang Wei described how he held on to an underground cable and comforted the girl who "couldn't stop crying", until authorities were able to lower a ladder and help both of them out of the hole.
Underground water had created the cavity, which gave way the moment teenager stepped on the paving slab.
The ground continued to shift while Wei and the girl were underground, making it impossible for them to climb out without assistance. Amatuer footage shows the pair as they emerge unscathed from their ordeal.
Swinbrook House gutted in blaze #fire #firealarms #firesafety
Swinbrook House Fire
A manor house built by the Mitford family has been gutted in a blaze which broke out in the drawing room.
Fire crews were called to Swinbrook House, on the outskirts of Swinbrook, near Burford, Oxfordshire, on Saturday night (21st April) after a fire alarm went off.
Six people had to be evacuated from the historic three-storey property, two of which were injured during their escape.
Message to keep cars secure #carsecurity #theft #preston
POLICE in Lancashire are reminding Preston residents to keep their cars secure and valuables locked-away.
The move comes after several incidents of vehicle crime in the north of the City including in Cottam, Fulwood and Lea over the last two weekends.
Progress has been made already with Lancashire Constabulary charging a 16 year-old boy with theft from a motor vehicle.
"Drivers must still remember to keep their motors securely locked and valuables away from show as a failure will increase the likelihood of vehicle crime.”
Sgt Mark Riley Preston CID
In addition, two men, 18 and 22, both of Fulwood, have been released on Police bail pending further enquires after being arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle.
Sgt Mark Riley, Preston CID, said: “Car crime remains low in Preston and we are proud of our achievements over the last several years.
“However, drivers must still remember to keep their motors securely locked and valuables away from show as a failure will increase the likelihood of vehicle crime.”
Scarborough Council closes flats over fire safety concerns #firesafety
Scarborough Council closes flats over fire safety concerns
Scarborough Borough Council has closed down a block of privately-owned flats due to their dangerous conditions and poor fire safety provisions.
The council's environmental health officers made the decision on April 12th after an inspection of the flats on Beulah Terrace revealed numerous health and safety hazards including an inoperable fire alarm as well as other severe disrepair issues.
Gary Pickering, Scarborough Borough Council's senior environmental health officer, said: "Upon discovering the state of this property, we had no alternative but to use our authoritative emergency closure powers to shut this property in order to safeguard residents and those visiting the property as well as those occupying neighbouring properties."
Mr Pickering added that it was "fortunate" that no-one has been severely injured or killed as a result of the poor state of this property.
The council is now considering further legal action in relation to the flats and has made arrangements for it to be partly boarded-up.