Roof fire breaks out at Eaton Place in Westminster

by ActiveFeatured News

Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters have been called to a flat fire on Eaton Place in Westminster according to London Fire Brigade (LFB). 

LFB said in a statement that firefighters are tackling a fire in the roof of a four storey residential block of flats and a significant part of the roof and a flat on the fourth floor is alight.

The Brigade’s Control Office has received 26 calls about the fire. Residents in the area are advised to keep their doors and windows shut due to the smoke and advised to avoid the area as there are road closures in place. 

The Brigade was called at 1141. Fire crews from Clapham, Dowgate, Soho, Hammersmith and other surrounding fire stations are at the scene.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

Forest fire threatens ancient sequoia trees in Yosemite National Park

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A grove of ancient sequoia trees in Yosemite National Park are in danger as the Washburn Fire grew to more than 2,300 acres the US Forest Service has said. Firefighters are working in difficult terrain to protect some of the largest and oldest redwood trees in the world.

Firefighters on scene have been using a 4-foot tall sprinkler system to tackle the fire and maintain air-moisture to prevent extensive damage to the area.

The fire, which started on 7 July, is threatening around 500 giant sequoias in the Mariposa Grove, including a famed ‘Grizzly Giant’ which is thought to be around 3,000 years old.

The Washburn Fire has already caused nearly 1,600 people to evacuate the area, including the Wawona community located inside the national park and hundreds of campers staying close to Wawona.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated. Fire officials have said that warm and dry weather conditions are making it difficult to control the flames.

Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley have been protected since President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation in 1864. It has a long history of prescribed burning to reduce the negative impacts of high-severity fires, the National Park Service said in a statement.

The fire was downgraded from 25% contained to 22% containted on Monday night. Stanley Bercovitz, a spokesman with the US Forest Service, said: “We don’t want to say everything’s fine and we’re getting a good handle on this fire and it’s downhill from here on out, because all it’s going to take is one hour of wind.”

EU mobilises firefighting fleet as Portugal declares state of alert

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Portugal activated the European Civil Protection Mechanism to request emergency assistance for the fires in the central part of the country the European Commission said in a statement. It noted that as an immediate response, the European Commission sent two Canadair fire-fighting aircraft from its fleet in Spain.

Portugal and Spain have been affected by high temperatures that have increased the risk of fire, which is expected to worsen in the coming days. Forest fires in Portugal have left 29 people injured as temperatures are predicted to reach up to 45C in parts of the country from Tuesday. On Saturday, the country recorded 125 fires, the highest number in a single day this year with around 1,500 firefighters fighting three big blazes. The government declared a state of alert across the country, from Monday to Friday 15 July as the weather has caused further concerns due to expected high temperatures.

Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said: “With our quick response to the Portuguese request for assistance, the EU demonstrates its full solidarity in facing the destructive forest fires in central Portugal. I thank Spain for swiftly mobilising two firefighting planes via the RescEU this morning. Our thoughts are with those affected, and with the fire fighters and other first responders on the ground. We stand ready to provide further assistance.”

In addition, the EU’s Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service was activated by Portugal on 8 July for the forest fires affecting Leiria and Santarem districts in Ourém municipality. These maps support first responders with an assessment of the impact and damage of the fires. 

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism exists to strengthens cooperation between and among Member States and Participating States in the field of civil protection, with a view to improving prevention, preparedness and response to disasters. Through the Mechanism, the European Commission plays a key role in coordinating the response to disasters in Europe and beyond.

When the scale of an emergency overwhelms the response capabilities of a country, it can request assistance via the Mechanism. Once activated, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre coordinates assistance made available by its Participating States through spontaneous offers. Should the emergency require additional assistance, the rescEU reserve can be activated.

To date, all EU Member States participate in the Mechanism, as well as Iceland, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Turkey. Since its inception in 2001, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has responded to over 600 requests for assistance inside and outside the EU.

LFB issues warning after Monument Street restaurant ducting fire

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The London Fire Brigade has issued a warning to restaurant owners to ensure the ducting in their extraction systems is clean following a fire at a restaurant on Monument Street in The City of London spread from the basement of the property to the fourth floor last night.

Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters were called to the scene where the ducting (extraction system) from the basement to the fourth floor was destroyed by the fire. A small part of the basement and ground floor of the six-storey building were also damaged. There were no reports of any injuries.

Station Commander Chris Mattingley, who was at the scene, said: “The fire spread through the ducting from the basement of the building up to the fourth floor. Firefighters worked hard in warm conditions to bring the fire under control.”

The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers took 18 calls to the blaze. It took its first call at 1833 and the fire was under control 2115. Fire crews from Dowgate, Whitechapel, Dockhead, Shadwell and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.

The fire is believed to have been accidental and caused by grease in the ducting igniting and spreading.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We’d like to remind restaurant and takeaway owners to ensure they don’t have dirty ducting. If you don’t clean the ducting in your extraction system regularly, you’re at a greater risk of ducting fires.

“You should also make sure you keep the hob, cooker hood and extractor fan clean too – built up fat and grease can ignite and cause a fire.”

Electra fire reaches over 4000 acres in Northern California

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The Electra fire in Northern California’s Amador and Calaveras counties reached 4,112 acres on Wednesday as firefighters increased containment to 40%, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The fire, which has been active for two days, was moderated by cool temperatures and higher humidity, but remained active where wind and slope aligned. Firefighters continue strengthening control lines and mopping-up hot spots.

The Electra fire is one of of the largest wildfires this season. It ignited on Monday afternoon near the North Fork of the Mokelumne River and spread quickly through dry brush and steep terrain, according to Cal Fire officials. The fire was active for the first half of the night, but humidity in the early morning hours helped limit its activity, officials said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

More than 1,300 firefighters continue to battle the blaze, as of Wednesday morning. Electra fire spokesperson Chris Dargan said on Wednesday morning that the biggest issue in fighting the fire is the terrain and topography.

Mandatory evacuation orders and warnings combined impacted 700 residents in Amador county and 300 to 400 people in Calaveras county, officials said. Evacuation centres have been set up for people and animals. CalFire said the number of threatened structures remained at 1,217 but there were no reports of structures destroyed or damaged. 8,000 Pacific Gas & Electric customers in Amador and Calaveras counties remained without power Wednesday due to the fire, and many were still under mandatory evacuation orders.

Wildfire breaks out in Somalia’s Sanaag region

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A wildfire in the Gaacidh forest in the eastern Sanaag region of Somaliland in Somalia has broken out from an undetermined cause, according to official reports. The fire in the forest which is home to unique trees and dozens of fauna started two days ago near the Daalo mountain and has not been contained. No casualties have been reported, according to officials.

Special Presidential Envoy for Drought Response for Somalia, Abdirahman Abdishakur, wrote on Twitter that the fire “is deadly both to the environment and the animals. Sanaag mountains are known for their variety and rare trees that are not found (anywhere else in) the rest of the country. Somalia is currently under serious threat from global climate change and deforestation. We must all, the administration and the public take action to control and extinguish fires to save the environment, animals and people.”

Gaacidh village chairman Salad Salah Mohamed told state-run television that the fire started on Sunday at 5:00 pm, and that the village has been on high alert since Sunday. He said: “Storms are present in the summer. A fire alarm has been transmitted to the government authorities but the fire still exists.”

Somali environmentalist, botanist and author Ahmed Ibrahim Awale said the forest: “Is the best preserved Juniperus procera-Dracaena schizantha mixed woodland in the Horn of Africa and it well deserves to be declared a World Heritage Natural Site.”

The spread of the fire is accelerated by strong winds and dry vegetation. The cause is yet to be determined but climatic conditions are said to play a major role in the spread of the blaze that is growing daily.

Discarded battery identified as cause of Kirkdale scrap yard fire

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The cause of a large fire at a Kirkdale scrap yard in September last year is thought to have been a discarded lithium-ion battery according to a new report to Liverpool Council’s neighbourhoods committee.

The blaze impacted an area of 50m x 20m at Norton Scrap and Co and firefighters warned residents to close doors and windows owing to poor air quality. The report said: “The subsequent fire investigation found that the fire originated in the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) pile and the likely ignition source had been a discarded Lithium-Ion battery.”

The Environment Agency shared details of a plan compiled by Merseyside Fire and Rescue (MFRS) including a move to process waste at the site daily to: “Limit the growth and size of a fire, reduce fire spread from pile to pile, and it would decrease the impact on MFRS resources, local community and the environment.”

The report added that although there is thermal imaging installed at the scrap yard to identify hot spots in the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment stockpile, this had not been fully in use and blind spots on the site meant that management were not always aware of possible incidents, preventing them from being addressed more urgently.

The report added: “It was agreed that clear lines of communication between the operators of waste metal facilities and the various agencies such as the MFRS were needed when incidents such as the Norton’s fire occurred, as it was clear this hadn’t been the case in the September 2021 incident. This was evidenced by the fact that notification of the fire to the MFRS came from a member of public dialling 999.”

Major gas explosion at block of flats in Bedford

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Firefighters have been called out to attend what has been dubbed a ‘major gas explosion’ at a block of flats in Bedford resulting in two people being taken to hospital, one with serious injuries.

A statement from Bedfordshire Police said: “Emergency services have responded to an explosion at Redwood Grove, Bedford this morning.

“This resulted in a significant fire at a three storey block of 20 flats, which has engulfed the whole building and caused a large portion of the roof to collapse.

“There are two people who have been taken to hospital, one with serious injuries to Addenbrooke’s.

“Police, fire and the ambulance service all remain in attendance.”

A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We are currently in attendance at a major gas explosion on Redwood Grove, Bedford.

“There are currently six appliances, two water carriers, an incident command unit at the scene. Please avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed.”

Adrian Marz, who lives in a third floor flat in a block adjoining the residence where the explosion happened, said he saw two people jump from windows to escape the blaze.

He said: “I saw a couple of people jump out of the building and started helping them out… bringing them away from the fire, away from the danger, but it was a very, very serious and very big explosion.”

He added: “The walls [of the building] have just been completely cracked like a walnut – there’s been so much debris flying out of everywhere – ashes, smoke, dust, fire – just instantly everywhere – blazing out of the windows – and that’s why people started to jump out.”

Gas explosion destroys homes in Birmingham

by ActiveFeatured News

At 20:38 on Sunday 26 June, fire crews responded to multiple reports of an explosion on Dulwich Lane, Kingstanding, Birmingham. The explosion, now thought to be a gas explosion, destroyed one property and caused damage to other properties and vehicles nearby.

Dulwich Road is closed and is expected to be for some time. West Midlands Police managed evacuations in the area.

In a statement, West Midlands Fire Service said they believed the incident which completely destroyed one property and significantly damaged three adjoining properties, to be a gas explosion.

The statment said: “One man was rescued prior to the arrival of the fire service and was taken into the care of West Midlands Ambulance, and was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Four other people have been treated at the scene for minor injuries.

“We have evacuated the affected and surrounding properties with our colleagues from West Midlands Police. Our search and rescue dog and handler have been mobilised to the scene and an additional search and rescue dog from Lancashire has been requested and is also en route to assist us.

“Birmingham City Council planning officers are standing by to assist residents that may need rehousing. A structural engineer has also been requested.

“We continue to ask the public to avoid the area and follow the instructions of on-scene emergency service officers.”

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “One property has been completely destroyed with three others badly damaged. Cars have also been damaged.

“A man was helped from the property by people at the scene but had suffered very serious injuries.  After assessment and treatment at the scene, he was taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham with the MERIT team travelling with the ambulance.  His condition on arrival at hospital was described as life threatening.”

Shepherd’s Bush tower block fire caused by e-bike says London Fire Brigade

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The London Fire Brigade have confirmed that the fire on the 12th floor of a high-rise building in Shepherd’s Bush earlier this week was caused by the failure of an e-bike’s lithium-ion battery.

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a flat fire on Queensdale Crescent in Shepherd’s Bush. London Ambulance Service confirmed that two patients were assessed at the scene and another was treated and taken to hospital.

Firefighters have now issued an urgent safety warning to e-bike owners, claiming that London’s firefighters  have seen a huge spike in e-bike and e-scooter incidents as they have become more popular in recent years and have issued several warnings about how ferocious the fires can be.

So far this year, crews have attended 32 fires involving e-bikes and another seven involving e-scooters. So far in 2022, there have been a further 17 fires involving other lithium-ion batteries and last year, in total there were more than 100 fires in the capital involving lithium-ion batteries.

The Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, Charlie Pugsley, said: “It’s incredibly concerning that we are continuing to see a rise in incidents involving e-bikes.

“When these batteries and chargers fail, they do so with ferocity and because the fires develop so rapidly the situation can quickly become incredibly serious.

“These items are often stored in communal areas and corridors and can block people’s only means of escape.

“Another issue with fires involving lithium-ion batteries and which we saw at yesterday’s fire is that when they fail, they eject their contents over a wide area which can lead to multiple areas of burning in the room where the fire has started.”

LFB’s advised never to store e-bikes or e-scooters in communal areas as if they are involved in a fire as it can easily block the only means of escape.

Fire investigators determined that many of the e-bike incidents involved e-bike conversion kits (to convert a standard push bike into an electric bike rather than purpose built ones) which only provide the motors and control gear but batteries must be sourced separately.

Assistant Commissioner Pugsley added: “There is a significant risk posed by the e-bikes which have been converted and we are predominantly seeing fires in ones which have been purchased from online market places and batteries which have been sourced on the internet, which may not meet the correct safety standards.

“Lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to failure if incorrect chargers are used.

“Our advice is to try and store and charge these items in a safe location if possible, such as in a shed or garage, and if they have to be stored inside, make sure there is smoke detection fitted and your means of escape is not obstructed.

“However we know this won’t be possible for everyone, so if you are charging them indoors, please follow our advice on using safe charging and ensure everyone in your home knows what to do in the event of a fire.

“Make sure they are charged in a room where there is smoke detection and on a hard, flat surface.

“We would also suggest people try not to charge them when they are asleep, so that if there is an issue they can react quickly.”

London Fire Brigade’s E-bike and e-scooter safety advice:

  • Always use the correct charger for the product and buy an official one from a reputable seller.
  • Batteries can get warm during their use and it is advisable to allow them to cool down before attempting to re-charge as they could be more susceptible to failure.
  • Batteries should always be charged on hard flat surfaces where heat can dissipate.
  • Batteries can also pose a risk if they have been damaged, so try to ensure they are not getting knocked around while in use or while being carried as spares as this can increase the chance of damage to cells.
  • You should always make sure you unplug your charger once it’s finished charging. Always follow manufacturers’ instructions when charging and we would advise not to leave it unattended or while people are asleep.
  • Ensure you have smoke alarms fitted in areas where e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged and make sure they are tested regularly.
  • Never block your escape route with anything, including bikes and scooters. Store them somewhere away from a main through route.