Archived decisions

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority Item 7

15 February 2006

Activity Report

Report of the Chief Officer

Contact: Deputy Chief Fire Officer Alan House - 023 8062 6831

1

Responding

1.1

It is disappointing to report that since the last Activity Report, despite the excellent work being done by our personnel, 3 lives have been lost as a result of fires in the home. Two of the homes had smoke detectors but in one they were incorrectly installed and in the other the smoke detector had been removed because the low battery indicator was making a noise. The third fatal fire at Somerset Road, Farnborough is still being investigated.

This once again stresses our commitment to continue to direct our resources to reduce the number of lives lost as a consequence of fire. The importance of the Home Fire Safety Check programme cannot be understated. This provides education to occupiers on fire safety in the home, planning an escape route as well as fitting smoke detectors. The number of Home Fire Safety Checks being completed by our crews continues to rise and we are constantly exploring new methods of generating referrals and increasing our capacity to carry out this all important work. The new proposals in the IRMP for the review of the Stations working practices will support our commitment to increasing our Prevention and Protection activities.

1.2

On the 12 December 2005 HFRS crews responded to a request for assistance from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for foam stocks to be mobilised for the large fire at the Buncefield Oil Depot at Hemel Hempstead. A water carrier from Eastleigh fire station with 9000 litres of bulk foam, 2 Multi Role Vehicles with foam stocks and equipment together with specialist Officers were mobilised to assist. The vehicles and equipment were kept on site for several days with relief crews being mobilised at regular intervals. The reports that have been received back from Hertfordshire complimented HFRS on the equipment that we provided and made particular reference to the professional manner in which HFRS personnel used and deployed that equipment and their assistance to bring a final resolution of the largest oil storage facility fire in the UK since WW II.

1.3

The Urban Search and Rescue team (USAR) which has been set up as part of the ODPMs resilience programme for regional and national response is now fully operational in HFRS. As well as providing an integral part of the UKs resilience programme it is also improving the response options we have within Hampshire to incidents involving entrapment in collapsed structures, confined spaces and difficult specialist rescue scenarios. The role of this team will continue to be developed to take in the new duties prescribed in the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004.

1.4

Road traffic collisions continue to have an appalling impact on the roads of Hampshire. The loss of life and serious injuries that have occurred cannot be allowed to continue without a serious approach being taken to try and reduce these incidents. The IRMP proposals for partnership working with other agencies will involve HFRS in new initiatives that will look at expanding our Prevention and Protection activities into this important area.

1.5

Throughout the period since the last report a number of large fires have occurred across the County. The resolution of these incidents tests all aspects of the Service from the receipt of the call, mobilising the resources and maintaining overall emergency cover.

We have, since the removal of the National Standards of Fire Cover measured our performance for response with a Local Performance Indicator (LPI 20a) This is our commitment to attend 80% of all emergencies in less than 8 minutes. It is pleasing to report that due to the efforts our staff a number of new initiatives we are steadily improving towards this goal.

1.6

The incident that occurred at Farnborough on the 2 February identified the potential contamination of compressed air cylinders used for Breathing Apparatus by carbon monoxide. This situation involved all of the Stations in the Northern half of the County.

Although the probability of this was low because of the strict controls that are exercised when filling these cylinders along with a comprehensive compressor servicing policy the threat was taken seriously. This triggered the opening of the Major Incident facility at HQ. Plans were quickly initiated to prevent the further use of any potentially contaminated cylinders. Simultaneously measures were actioned to enable us to provide respiratory protection for firefighters at the full range of emergency incidents. Following air sampling tests of cylinders and a compressor no traces of Carbon Monoxide were found. The recent development of the Major Incident room at HQ was an integral part of the successful resolution of this potentially serious incident. Further planned developments of this facility are an important part of HFRS's business continuity planning for the management of a full range of emergency situations.

2

Preventing

2.1

Group Support and Home Fire Safety Check (HFSC)

Wholetime crews have continued to carry out HFSCs supported by the Community Fire Safety (CFS) Department. In the last quarter of 2005, 2829 home visits were recorded, 464 of these were carried out either directly by the Community Support Team or CFS personnel who work out in the Groups. Work is being carried out to enable HFSCs to be targeted at more vulnerable and at risk elements of the community through partnerships with Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and other agencies who deal with vulnerable members of the community on a daily basis. The first trial partnership with a PCT is now underway in Southampton and the second at Basingstoke is progressing. However, the Service recognises that fire does not discriminate and endeavours to gain access to `hard to reach' elements of the community should not override the ability to provide fire prevention education to all who ask for it.

The programme of training for Retained Duty System (RDS) employees will be completed in March and will enable our retained crews to engage fully in the CFS Post Incident Protocol. Additionally, Bishops Waltham are currently carrying out a further trial of RDS carrying out HFSCs as a mainstream activity.

The programme of campaigns aimed at raising awareness of ethnic minority and religious celebrations and the safety hazards posed by them has continued with `Celebrate Safely'. Groups and Stations have been supplied with campaign material covering the safe use of fireworks and the celebrations of Divali, Ede, Chinese New year and Christmas.

2.2

Schools Education

The programme of schools visits has restarted after the Christmas holiday and, owing to the timely replacement of 2 staff who had been successful in becoming WT Trainees, remains on target to achieve this years goals.

The `Arson About' play is targeted at 14-16 year old children and has received almost full take up from participating schools. Future performance dates will be made available on the intranet.

2.3

Youth Engagement

Two more Local Intervention Fire Education courses have now been completed at Hardley Fire Station. The courses have continued to be well received by the Local Crime and Disorder Partnerships and the Police have also enjoyed the benefits of having one of their officers as a trainer on each course. Funding from GOSE is expected for one more course before the end of the financial year and Group Managers have started bidding for 4 more in the early part of next year. If the course continues to deliver positive results we will run 6 courses as various locations in Hampshire in 2006/2007, as indicated in our IRMP.

The Princes Trust Team successfully completed 2 x 12 week courses in December 2006. As always these provided as much of a learning experience for the HFRS seconded staff, who work as the team leaders, as it did for the course members. Two new courses are now being started in Southampton and Basingstoke. These courses have been modified to increase the level of fire prevention and safety education while continuing to develop and support these young people to become more employable.

The Firesetters Intervention Team have engaged in 35 interventions with young children identified with firesetting behaviour.

3

Protecting: Reporting Period October 2005 to January 2006

3.1

National Trust Partnership Agreement

The successful secondment of a fire safety engineer from West Group to the National Trust has resulted in a full review and update of the Trusts' fire safety policy and procedures. Subsequently HFRS will sign a formal partnership agreement with the National Trust in January 2006, this incorporates an agreed action plan to implement a national training programme for NT managers, delivered through the newly formed Business Education Unit. Continued discussions are taking place towards developing a Lead Authority Partnership Scheme between HFRS and the National Trust to the benefit of both parties in respect of risk reduction initiatives.

3.2

Regulatory Reform

The planned activities to support the implementation of the RRO have been modified to reflect the deferment of the commencement date, with some seminars taking place during February and March while others have been rescheduled for later in the year. (This is also the subject of a Chairman's announcement).

3.3

HCC Partnership Agreement - Action Plan

The success of the framework for HFRS partnerships has resulted in it being heralded as best practice and work has recently commenced with external consultants to incorporate the model into guidance on partnership working. An action plan is now in place which adds detail and expected specific outcomes to the agreement.

3.4

E-Fire Safety Audits

A report following the trial of mobile electronic office facilities in the North Group has provided the basis for work to commence towards the introduction of mobile office facilities for all Fire Safety Officers during 2006 and work is underway to facilitate this innovation which will lead to increased output and less unnecessary travel to and from office bases. This is a key objective in the next IRMP for Protection.

3.5

South East Regional Fire Safety Training

The fire safety training strategy for 2006/2007 has been finalised and is designed to compliment the SE Regional Training Strategy which is due in the near future. This has resulted in significant reductions in the overall cost of training traditionally obtained at the Fire Service College.

4

Group Activity

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

7

101

15

10

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

3

53

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

163

146

448

Protecting

Following a visit to a licensed premises evidence is being gathering for a potential prosecution of a landlord. Dates for interviews of the responsible persons have been issued.

The main theme of work focused on the pre Christmas inspections targeted at shop premises and has been completed. Follow up audits are required in a number of premises for identified failings in Fire Safety matters.

Responding

8 November 2005: In my previous activity report I gave details of a fatality in a car fire in the Eastleigh area on 8 November. Later on the same day a crew from Basingstoke were mobilised to a car fire with a report of a female inside the vehicle. The fire was extinguished and the female released and taken to hospital, later to be transferred to the specialist burns unit at Odstock. She unfortunately died from her injuries 3 days later.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

5

54

11

4

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

4

107

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

127

183

254

Protecting

The Rushmoor office has started a consultation exercise to liase with the event organisers and other agencies for the next International Air Show being held at Farnborough in the summer of 2006.

Consultations have commenced with architects on the new health centre for Aldershot and the new town centre development in Farnborough. The revision and acceptance of an upgraded smoke ventilation system for the Wellington Centre has also been conducted, this will improve public safety in terms of means of escape, and assist the response function with fire fighting operations.

A fire safety seminar has been delivered to sheltered housing scheme managers informing them of their legal obligations and discussing ways to reduce unwanted fire alarm signals.

A Prohibition Notice has been issued on a restaurant in this area and an enforcement notice (for serious offences) has been issued to a public house for persistent breaches of legislation and failure to comply with HFRS requirements. These are significant legal documents and we will not hesitate to serve them on persons who endanger life by failing to provide and maintain the necessary fire safety standards for public safety.

We have just completed the field trials for remote office working using the next generation IT facilities. Implementation of phase one in the role out of this new concept is likely to commence in April 2006, this should lead to improved efficiency in both our service delivery to our customers, and improve on the number of workplace audits conducted by our technical fire safety staff.

Responding

25 November 2005: A fire at Gemini Circuits Ltd, North Town, Aldershot was initially attended by 2 crews from Rushmoor who made pumps up to 4 and eventually to 8. The fire was classified as a hazmat incident with the appropriate specialist Officers being mobilised. The industrial building of 1 and 3 floors, 35 metres by 45 metres, suffered fire damage on the first and second floors. The fire was brought under control using 1 ground monitor, 4 jets, 3 hosereels an ALP monitor and 46 breathing apparatus.

1 January 2006: There was a very sad start to the new year when the body of an elderly male was located in a fire in Aldershot Road at Fleet. The severe fire in a bungalow was extinguished using 2 hosereels and 4 breathing apparatus. Police and Fire Officers continue to investigate the incident and it has not yet been established if the occupier was deceased before the fire occurred.

2 February 2006: A fire at Somerset Road in Farnborough initially attracted 2 pumping appliances, on arrival they made pumps up to 3 with an informative indicating message persons were reported. Crews were confronted with a serious fire which was spreading from one half of a semi-detached property 16 metres by 12 metres into the adjoining unoccupied property. Pumps were made up to 6 plus an aerial ladder platform and numerous special appliances were also mobilised. Crews found a severe fire on the ground and first floors and partial collapse of ceilings on both floors. It was 5 hours after the initial call that a message was received indicating that a fatality had been located but even at this stage it could not be confirmed that all persons were accounted for. During the incident, Control were informed that 2 personnel had been taken from the scene to Frimley Park Hospital, it was thought that the first to be hospitalised was suffering from heat exhaustion whilst wearing breathing apparatus (BA) in the roof space. The doctor treating him queried the possibility of an ingress of carbon monoxide into the BA set. Later the second firefighter was hospitalised with similar symptoms and the possibility of contamination of BA air supplies was considered. The compressors on north Hampshire stations and BA sets on appliances at stations served by those compressors were taken out of use and replacement pumps were mobilised to standby from stations in the south of the county. Equipment was impounded until the company who maintain it could attend and carry out thorough checks and confirm it was fit to be placed back in use. Both firefighters were later released from hospital with the A&E department confirming that they had not suffered carbon monoxide poisoning. In the initial stages these procedures caused considerable logistical problems and the Major Incident Room was brought into use to assist with co-ordinating the movement of BA equipment and assist the Control room staff who were extremely busy. The BA maintainers later confirmed that there had been no contamination of HFRS equipment or air supplies. During the extensive firefighting operation, 2 jets, 2 hosereels and 30 breathing apparatus were used, the property suffered severe fire damage to all floors and structural collapse. A lengthy fire investigation is being carried out in conjunction with the Police to determine the cause.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

9

121

14

6

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

0

0

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

99

77

257

Protecting

No significant activity.

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

11

83

22

4

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

3

44

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

209

211

477

Protecting

The planning application for the new South East Regional Control Centre has been submitted to Fareham Planning Department. Preliminary discussions have already commenced on the provision of fire safety measures in the Centre. Full discussions will commenced when the plans are submitted for Building Regulation approval.

A meeting will take place in January with council officers to see what opportunities exist for developing partnerships which will enable us to use our combined resources to reduce risk in the Borough.

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

11

62

11

7

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

4

64

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

700

954

2132

Protecting

Work on the £120 million extension at Queen Alexandra Hospital is due to start shortly. Officers from TFS Group East have already been involved in extensive discussions with the architects to establish satisfactory levels of fire safety. Those discussions has lead to an agreement to provide a sprinkler system in some areas of the extended hospital.

Responding

No significant activity.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

9

69

20

9

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

2

64

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

207

299

599

Protecting

The main theme of work focused on the pre Christmas inspections targeted at shop premises and has been completed. Follow up audits are required in a number of premises for identified failings in Fire Safety matters.

Responding

18 November 2005: Crews attending a road traffic collision at the Chairmakers Arms at Worlds End near Hambledon found a car imbedded in the building with 4 casualties involved. The persons were extricated from the vehicle and the Urban Search and Rescue Team were requested to assist in making the building safe. Team members were mobilised together with their specialist vehicles and equipment and spent several hours shoring up the building to render it safe.

3 December 2005: Crews mobilised to a fire in a farm cottage at Woodlands near Bramdean made pumps up to 6, 10 and eventually to 12. It was established that the fire was located in the roof and first floor of a large country farmhouse consisting of 2 floors, 35 metres by 20 metres. Salvage work was carried out on the ground floor and 7 jets, 1 hosereel, 45 breathing apparatus and an ALP monitor were used during the protracted operation. Crews were hampered by the collapse of the roof and parts of the first floor which made it extremely difficult to extinguish the fire. Relief crews were mobilised throughout the night and a presence was required at the scene for over 24 hours.

24 January 2006: Crews mobilised to a road traffic collision on the A3 road between Petersfield and Horndean were confronted with a particularly traumatic incident with a fatality trapped within a burning vehicle. The vehicle, which was involved in collision with a lorry, was completely destroyed by the fire and it was several hours before the body could be removed. A full investigation is being carried out by the Police Complaints Commission.

2 February 2006: While 6 pumps were dealing with an extensive fire in the Farnborough area, a road traffic collision involving a chemical tanker and a car occurred at St Catherine's Way, Winchester. One person was trapped in the car and it was reported that 22,000 litres of Phosphoric Acid had leaked from the tanker onto the highway. Pumps were made up to 5 as 6 personnel were deployed in gas tight suits and breathing apparatus. The entrapped person was released from the vehicle and 6 other members of the public were decontaminated by HFRS personnel. The leaking chemical was contained within roadside interceptors and removed by a disposal company in conjunction with Environment Agency staff.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

4

29

9

11

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

6

252

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

493

891

1031

Protecting

The main theme of work focused on the pre Christmas inspections targeted at shop premises and has been completed. Follow up audits are required in a number of premises for identified failings in Fire Safety matters.

During the period 3 enforcement notices have been served on premises within Eastleigh.

Responding

19 November 2005: A serious road traffic collision on the Hampshire/Wiltshire border was attended by crews from Andover and Wiltshire fire stations. A female occupant of the car was deceased and a male was trapped in the vehicle and seriously injured. There was concern that as there were items belonging to a small child in the vehicle, a child could have been thrown out by the impact. The male occupant was not in a state to be able to advise on the presence of a child. A Police Dog Team was mobilised to carry out a search and it was established that no child had been present. The male person was released from the vehicle and the body of the deceased woman was removed. The incident proved to be extremely traumatic for attending crews.

7 January 2006: An initial call to a chimney fire in a thatched property at Five Bells Lane in Nether Wallop required the attendance of 6 pumps when the fire spread into the thatch. To extinguish the fire, 30% of the thatch was removed from the roof of the two storey dwelling of 10 by 7 metres. The fire was then quickly brought under control using 3 hosereel jets.

27 January 2006: A serious fire at Tees Close, Valley Park in Chandlers Ford, was treated as a persons reported and on arrival the officer in charge of the first appliance indicated that the house was totally involved in fire. Pumps were made up to 4 and 2 persons were reported to be unaccounted for. The stop message indicated that the female occupant of the house had perished in the fire and 2 other persons had left the building by jumping out of first floor windows, one suffered burns and both sustained injuries caused by their fall. The fire was extinguished using 2 jets, 2 hosereels and 22 breathing apparatus. A thorough Fire Investigation was carried and sniffer dogs from both London and Surrey Fire Brigades were requested.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

24

267

35

14

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

4

83

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

656

1150

1488

Protecting

Seminars continue to be delivered to local employers/employees, explaining responsibilities under both current and future fire safety legislation. At the same time the opportunity is taken to explain our role in the enforcement of legislation and the format of fire safety premises audits.

Initial consultations have been held with managers of a mother and baby charity refuge in Southampton, with a view to having residential sprinklers retro-fitted to their premises. Talks with the property owners, Southampton City Council, are planned to discuss funding, and quotes have been obtained from installers to fit the system. In addition talks are also planned with a private society which run similar homes, with a view to including residential sprinklers in a refurbishment of one of their properties.

A large private development of flats for the elderly is currently underway in the Bassett area of Southampton, which is being constructed to include a full residential sprinkler system and fire alarm system. Contact has been established with the developers with a view to championing such initiatives with private developers throughout Southampton and the county as a whole.

During the period 3 enforcement notices and 1 prohibition notice have been served on premises within Southampton.

Responding

17 December 2005: Numerous calls were received in Control to a fire in Ashmead Road at Southampton. The first crews in attendance made pumps up to 6 and requested an ALP. The fire in a pair of semi detached houses spread via an attached garage to a further property. The incident was brought under control using 3 jets, 2 hosereels and 16 breathing apparatus. The ground and first floor of one house was severely damaged by fire and further damage was caused to the other 2 properties.

22 December 2005: Crews mobilised to a fire in Exmoor Road, Southampton made the fire a persons reported incident on their arrival. They extinguished a fire in a ground floor bedsit and located a female fatality and an injured male at the scene. Police treated the incident as a crime scene and carried out a full investigation. Subsequently a man has appeared in court having been charged with murder.

11 January 2006: Six pumps were required to deal with a fire at Wildern Mill, Charles Watts Way, Hedge End. The incident involved a food grinding hopper within a 2 storey brick and metal clad building. It was quickly brought under control using 1 jet, 2 hosereels and positive pressure ventilation was used to clear smoke from the building.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

1

1

7

1

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

0

0

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

38

47

60

Protecting

Both New Forest North and South areas are covered from the Lyndhurst office. Considerable success has been achieved in improving the number of fire safety audits achieved and also targeting of specific groups.

During the period 1 enforcement notice has been served on premises within New Forest North.

Responding

29 December 2005: The first crews in attendance at a fire involving workshops at North Charford Manor Farm at North Charford near Fordingbridge made pumps up to 6. The fire involved a range of buildings 50 metres by 10 metres of galvanised steel and timber construction used as workshops and for storage of hay. There was initial concern as the workshop was also known to contain an acetylene cylinder. Four water monitors fed by a water shuttle were used to extinguish the fire.

28 January 2006: The first pumps in attendance at a fire in the roof of the Swan Inn in Bournemouth Road, Lyndhurst, quickly made pumps up to 6, then to 8 and also requested an aerial ladder platform. The first informative message indicated that 75% of the roof was involved in fire with 5 jets, 3 hosereels and 15 breathing apparatus in use. The building of 2 floors, 35 metres by 25 metres, suffered severe fire damage and extensive salvage work was carried out by our crews and a commercial company, ISS Damage Control, assisted with this. The water run off from the fire caused problems when it froze on the highway and gritting was arranged by New Forest District Council.

29 January 2006: A further thatched roof fire occurred at Blissford Road, Blissford, that required 6 pumps and numerous special appliances to bring under control. The cottage consisted of 3 sections, 4 metres by 8 metres, and 30% of the thatch was involved in fire which was extinguished using 2 jets, 4 hosereels, 6 breathing apparatus and cutting away. Salvage work was carried out at the premises.

Preventing

Community Support Team:

Number of dwelling fires attended:

Number of properties visited:

Audience numbers during visit:

Number of smoke detectors fitted as a result of these visits:

9

171

24

5

Operational Crews - Talks:

Number:

Audience numbers:

0

0

Operational Crews - Home Fire Safety Visits:

Number:

Audience numbers:

Number of smoke detectors fitted:

73

8

166

Protecting

During the period 3 enforcement notices and 1 prohibition notice have been served on premises within New Forest South.

Responding

17 December 2005: Pumps from Hampshire and Dorset were mobilised to deal with a thatched roof fire involving a pair of cottages in Lyndhurst Road, Godwinscroft near Bransgore. Pumps were eventually made up to 15 with a Water Carrier, an Emergency Catering Unit, an Incident Command Unit and 2 Command Support pumps also required. The 2 cob constructed cottages, 20 metres by 8 metres, suffered severe damage to the roof and first floor with 6 jets, 6 hosereels and 34 breathing apparatus being used to bring the fire under control.

28 January 2006: 5 pumping appliances, 4 landrovers and a water carrier were requested for the first large gorse fire of the 2006 season at hatchet pond on the Beaulieu to Lymington road. Approximately 2.5 hectares of gorse and heather was involved and caused particular concern as the gorse was 6ft high and the fire travelled quickly in the strong easterly wind. The incident was brought under control using 7 hosereels and beaters.