Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

Item

11 February 2004

Incidents of Interest from December 2003 to January 2004

Report of the Chief Fire Officer

Contact:

Alan House, Deputy Chief Fire Officer

Tel: 023 8064 4000 Ext 205

2 December

Crews from Andover and Winchester attended a helicopter crash north of Hurstbourne Tarrant. The Squirrel helicopter that had taken off from Thruxton Aerodrome had crashed in a field and was on fire when pumps arrived. The fire was extinguished and three bodies were located in the wreckage and had to be removed by Service personnel. Crews were detained at the scene for many hours assisting Air Accident Investigation Branch personnel.

5 December

An initial call to a fire on the outside wall of the Harriet Costello School, Crossborough Hill at Basingstoke rapidly spread to a major fire situation. Pumps were quickly made up to 4 and eventually to10 with an aerial ladder platform and water carrier also requested. The range of one and two-storey buildings, 20 metres by 40 metres, used as classrooms and workshops were severely damaged by fire. Three jets and 10 BA were used during firefighting operations and were hampered by poor water supplies. A water relay and water shuttle from nearby hydrants were put in place to provide sufficient water for firefighting jets. The cause of the fire was established as an electrical problem.

25 December

Crews were mobilised to deal with a fire at Fearon Road in Portsmouth where two people were assisted from the burning building. Unfortunately the body of a further middle aged man was located in the fire and removed by Service personnel. The first and second floors of the building suffered severe fire damage. Two jets, 4 hosereels and 24 BA were used during the firefighting operation. Fire Investigation Officers are working with Police Scenes of Crime Officers to determine the cause of the fatal fire.

1 January 2004

A fairly small but deliberately ignited fire at a flat in Forton Road, Gosport required the rescue of 9 people from the smoke filled building. They were rescued by HFRS crews and removed from the scene by Ambulance, suffering from the effects of inhaling smoke. What turned out to be an insignificant fire could have resulted in tragic consequences had crews not arrived quickly at the scene.

18 January

Crews from Eastleigh Fire Station were mobilised to deal with a fire at Nightingale Primary School in Blackbird Road, Eastleigh. On arrival pumps were made up to four as a single storey building was seriously involved in fire. The fire severely damaged the large kitchen area and adjacent rooms and was brought under control using 4 jets, 1 hosereel and 8 breathing apparatus. After an extensive fire investigation it was established that the most likely causes were electrical or problems with equipment.

30 January

Crews from St Marys and Eastleigh attended a fire with persons reported at Woodmill Lane, Southampton. The small fire was contained to one room and was out on arrival of the crews. Unfortunately the body of an elderly male was located within the building. Investigations into the cause are proceeding.

31 January

A fire in Hambledon Road, Denmead involving a caravan, a car and an outside structure was attended by six pumps. The incident was quickly brought under control using 3 jets, 2 hosereels and 6 breathing apparatus.

2003

In my previous report on Operational Activity I indicated that the long dry period of weather experienced during the summer of 2003 had greatly increased the number of incidents. With 27,462 incidents it was the busiest year ever experienced by the Service. This once again indicates how, despite all of the excellent work being done to reduce incidents through educating the public and improved fire protection systems, when it comes to our overall operational activity, we are still very much subject to external influences, such as the weather.

Calendar Year

Number of Incidents

1993

20009

1994

20944

1995

25386

1996

23279

1997

23608

1998

21540

1999

23143

2000

23390

2001

26254

2002

24862

2003

27462

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 (amendment) Act 2000.

Recommendations

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

File ref: Secretarial/WP/word/Corporate/HFRA: HFRA 11 2 04 Incidents PFCO/JMW/2/2/2004