Shop Fire Harrogate 21st Dec 2006

 

SHOP FIRE JAMES STREET HARROGATE

 

DATE:             Thursday 21st December 2006

 

On Thursday 21st December 2006 at 3:35am North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service received a call to an automatic fire alarm at Next, on James Street, Harrogate.

 

Initially one fire appliance from Harrogate Fire Station was immediately mobilised to the scene. Whilst approaching the scene the Incident Commander requested a second fire appliance.

 

On arrival Crews found that rubbish outside the shop had been set alight, and the fire had spread to the foyer area of the shop, causing a small amount of fire damage, but a significant amount of smoke damage.

 

The fire was quickly brought under control using four breathing apparatus wearers and two hose reels.

 

Ian Bitcon, Head of Community Risk for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service commented: "I would firstly like to praise the professionalism of the crews who attended this incident, for their quick response and rapid assessment of the situation. This allowed them to deal with the incident quickly and contain the fire damage to a small area"

 

Ian also warned that: "Premises need to be particularly aware of how they dispose of their rubbish at this time of year there is a significant increase in packaging material which if ignited may spread to an adjacent building, as happened in this case. The Service has attended a number of rubbish fires the last few nights and any one of these could have resulted in a serious fire. It is worth pointing out that many small and medium sized companies subsequently never resume business after an event such as a fire and I would ask premises to be particularly vigilant in the safe disposal of packaging in order to prevent the opportunity for arson"

Investigations into the circumstances of the fire are still ongoing.

Arson Prevention Advice to Businesses:

  • No packaging, waste or rubbish should be left to accumulate anywhere on the premises or immediately outside.
  • Packaging, waste and rubbish should be removed regularly to a safe storage area.
  • Safe storage means metal bins with closed lids; ideally these bins would be locked away in their own compartment.
  • Arrange regular/frequent collection of refuse/waste by a local authority or contractor
  • Without blocking fire exits, limit as far as possible the number of entrances in use.
  • Keep an eye on what is going on. It pays in larger establishments to have a security guard on duty at main entrances. In smaller businesses you and your staff should exercise vigilance.
  • As part of staff training, remind all employees of the arson threat and advise them to report suspicious behaviour by customers (or staff!).
  • Ensure that doors and windows are in good repair and that locks are working.
  • Gaps under doors to the street should be as narrow as possible - this will prevent items such as lighted paper being pushed under them.
  • If there is a letter-box, it should have a metal container fitted on the inside of the building. (This should contain any fires from lighted rags or paper).
  • Keep a list of people holding keys to the premises, and chase any that are missing.

For Further advice on arson prevention visit our website www.northyorksfire.gov.uk

ENDS

 
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