Archived decisions
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority |
Item |
25 September 2002 |
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Incidents of Interest May to 16 September 2002 |
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Report of the Chief Fire Officer |
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Contact: |
Alan House, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tel: 023 8064 4000 Ext 205 | |
15 May and 19 May |
Two large fires occurred at the premises previously occupied by Arrow Adhesives in Rodney Road, Portsmouth. The fire warranted the attendance of 5 pumps and 6 pumps with a turntable ladder on each occasion. The unoccupied buildings on the site were severely damaged by fire. | |
4 June |
A severe fire at Woodlands School, Eagle Avenue, Cowplain required the attendance of 12 pumping appliances. The brick building, 45 metres by 30 metres, and contents, suffered 90% fire damage. The fire was extinguished using 6 jets, 1 hosereel and 50 breathing apparatus. A total of 22 appliances and numerous officers attended during the 11 hour fire-fighting operation. | |
12 June |
Crews from Alton fire station assisted the Police when the burnt body of a female was discovered in woodland near Lasham Hill, Lasham. Scenes of Crime Officers attended to investigate the incident. | |
16 June |
Crews were called to Hook Lane, Abshott to deal with a vehicle fire with a person possibly involved. The fire was quickly extinguished and the body of a male person was located in the vehicle. The Police were investigating the incident to establish the cause of the fire and death. | |
18 June |
A number of calls were received to a fire in a building at Holly Brook Park, Aldershot. Many days later it was reported that a male person had suffered burns as a result of this fire and left the scene before arrival of the Service. He subsequently died on 6 July in the Royal Sussex County hospital. The Police investigations into the incident are continuing. | |
24 June |
A fire in the changing rooms of the swimming pool at Barncroft Junior School, Park Lane, Bedhampton caused severe smoke logging to the 30 by 13 metre building. Two jets, one hosereel and 6 breathing apparatus were used during fire-fighting. Fire Investigation Officers are working with the Police Scenes of Crime Officers to establish the cause of the fire. | |
6 July |
Six pumps and an aerial appliance were mobilised to a fire at Brooks Crownhills Pattern Makers in North Way at Andover. This was a very unusual fire involving a crucible of molten aluminium which, because of the molten state, could not be extinguished safely with water or foam. Specialist dry powder extinguishers were used by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus to contain the fire. | |
20 July |
Crews were initially called to a bin fire outside a care home in Gatcombe Drive, Portsmouth. On arrival pumps were quickly made up to 5 when the fire spread to the roof of the single storey building. All persons were accounted for and the fire was extinguished using 1 jet, 2 hosereels and 6 breathing apparatus. Thirty residents had to be relocated because of the fire damage. | |
2 August |
An unusual incident involving a lorry fire in Stanmore Lane at Stanmore involved two and a half tonnes of rubber granules plus chemicals. The fire was partially extinguished at the initial location and the lorry was then driven under escort to the premises of the owners in Fishers Pond. There were concerns that the water run-off from the fire could enter the water course and the Environment Agency were contacted to assist with the clean up operation. The fire was extinguished by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using one ground monitor and 2 hosereels. The whole operation lasted in excess of 8 hours. | |
16 August |
Ten emergency calls were received in the early hours of the morning to a fire at Winchester House in Billy Lawn Avenue, Havant. On arrival the officer-in-charge quickly `made up' to pumps 5 with an Aerial Ladder Platform also being requested. The fire involved a three-storey block approximately 20 metres by 10 metres and part of the second floor and roof were well alight. At one stage two residents and two firefighters were trapped on a first floor balcony. During the fire-fighting operations 3 males and 1 female resident were rescued from the second floor and brought to the ground by ladders and 6 further residents were led out of the building to safety. Part of the roof collapsed and 2 jets, 1 hosereel and 6 breathing apparatus were used to contain the fire. Salvage work was also carried out by crews at the scene. Fire Investigation Officers and Police Scenes of Crime Officers are working together to establish the cause of the fire. | |
25 August |
Fire Control received in excess of thirty calls to a fire involving stacked pallets in the open at Cranleigh Road, Portchester. An assistance message was received for 6 pumps, 2 water carriers and a turntable ladder and there was concern that there were persons unaccounted for at the site. The fire burned for several hours and was brought under control using 6 jets, 2 hosereels and 32 breathing apparatus. A large quantity of pallets within a 30 by 30 metre area were destroyed together with two gas powered fork lift trucks, a large goods vehicle, a workshop, 6 metres by 4 metres, and two temporary structures of a similar size. All persons were accounted for. | |
April to August |
In my April report I indicated that following a period of very dry weather the call rates had risen dramatically and we were in excess of 1000 incidents up on the previous calendar year. Since that report the weather has deteriorated and we have experienced one of the wettest summers for many years. Call rates at the end of July were more than 600 down on last year albeit that was the busiest year ever experienced. The wet weather has continued into August and it is expected that call rates will reduce in line with the increase in rainfall. It is interesting to note how closely the two are linked. The Service received numerous requests for assistance at flooding on 9 August with officers attending 28 incidents following a particularly heavy period of rainfall. One property was also struck by lightning during the storm. | |
15 September |
Fire Control received a call from East Sussex Fire Brigade indicating that they were dealing with a vessel fire off Beachy Head and it was possible that they would require assistance from Hampshire. Initially an officer was mobilised to the Coastguard Headquarters at Lee-on-Solent for liaison purposes. East Sussex crews boarded the vessel and commenced fire-fighting during the night. The next morning it was decided to bring the vessel into Southampton to continue dealing with the incident and it was estimated that it would arrive at approximately midday. During the morning the siutation on board deteriorated and a decision was made to bring the vessel into Portsmouth Dockyard. Hampshire crews were mobilised and messages received from crews on board indicated that the fire was not under control and the officer dockside requested 8 pumps, a turntable ladder and numerous other specialist appliances. | |
At 1142 hours a message was received from East Sussex crews on board indicating that the entire stern of the 4,000 tonne ship, Wester Till, was involved with a fire in the hold containing general cargo, including hazardous materials. Access was difficult as containers on deck had to be moved before the hatch could be accessed and the fire located. Boundary cooling was being achieved using water jets and monitors. At 1235 a message was received stating that the vessel was alongside, Hampshire crews were going on board and East Sussex crews were being relieved. Boundary cooling continued throughout the afternoon and fire-fighting by breathing apparatus crews entering the hold. Regular relief crews were mobilised to maintain a presence of 10 pumps at the scene. | ||
At 1925 hours a stop message was received detailing that the fire in the main hold involving general cargo and hazardous materials was extinguished using 5 jets and 36 breathing apparatus, and responsibility was being handed back to the ship and salvers. | ||
Ship fires are particularly difficult to deal with as the excessive heat generated in a confined space causes extreme difficulties for firefighters. Stability of the vessel is also a problem when water is applied. Large numbers of personnel are required and most of the equipment needed has to be carried on board. Many fire brigades have chosen not to participate in fire-fighting at sea, but Hampshire continues to train personnel for this task. | ||
European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 |
The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998 and considered in the light of the Race Relations (amendments) Act 2000. |
Recommendation |
That the report be noted. |
Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers |
The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report. |
None |
NB The list excludes: |
1 Published works |
2 Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act |
Dir.fin HFRA 25 9 2002 Incidents PFCO/JMW/17/9/2002 |