30th January 2009 |
Fire Safety Breaches Cost Father and Son Over £50,000
A father and son have been ordered to pay more than £50,000 after pleading guilty to charges relating to inadequate fire safety standards at a building in Coventry Street, Kidderminster, in which tenants were rescued following a fire.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority brought proceedings against Brian Murdoch who owns 90 and 91 Coventry Street, Kidderminster, and his son David, who was responsible for the day to day running of the premises.
Brian Murdoch pleaded guilty to six charges of breaching The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and his son pleaded guilty to eight.
The charges brought against Brian and David Murdoch included:
-
Failure to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks
-
Failure to ensure that the premises and any facilities equipment and devices were subject to suitable maintenance and in efficient state, working order and good repair
-
Failure to co-operate as far as necessary to comply with the Fire Safety Order
The two men were sentenced by District Judge Brian Morgan at Kidderminster Magistrates today (Friday, January 30). The judge awarded the costs of £39,695.to Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority. Both father and son were fined a total of £11,600. During the course of the proceedings the Judge commented on the “efficiency and effectiveness” of the Fire Service following the fire at the premises in July 2007.”
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Jon Hall paid tribute to his fire safety officers and said: “This case clearly demonstrates how our officers are inspecting relevant buildings and applying the law to help ensure the safety of our community. The Fire Authority will use enforcement action and ultimately prosecution where people don’t fulfil their legal obligations to those that use their buildings. We would like to issue a timely reminder to people throughout Herefordshire and Worcestershire that these regulations are there to make people safer.“
To find out more about the Regulatory Reform Order law, which applies to nearly all premises - with the exception of single private properties - visit www.hwfire.org.uk
Neighbours help rescue mother and child from Stourport house fire Neighbours used a ladder to rescue a woman and her two year old child from a house fire at Worth Crescent, Stourport on Severn shortly after 01.00 hrs on Friday January 30. Crews from from Stourport, Bewdley and Kidderminster attended. Four BA and two HRS and PPV were used. Fire damaged the ground floor of the semi-detached house. The first floor was heavily smoke logged. The occupier and a neighbour were given oxygen therapy by the crews at the scene and the woman and child were taken to hospital by land ambulance, suffering from smoke inhalation. A Fire investigation was carried out later. The family's pet dog was rescued by the crews.
Man suffers burns in chip pan kitchen fire
A chip pan left on unattended in the kitchen of a house at Drake Crescent, Kidderminster caused a severe fire shortly before 22,00 hrs on Thursday January 29. Crews from Kidderminster, Stourport, Bromsgrove and Stourbridge attended. The male occupier suffered burns to his head, chest and arms. He was taken to Selly Oak Hospital. Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, three hose reels and one covering jet were used to extinguish the fire. The Red Cross Victim Support Unit from Worcester, also attended. The property was severely damaged.
Elderly couple escape from house fire
An elderly couple suffered smoke inhalation after fire in the living room of their home at Highfields, Hollybush Lane, Clifton on Teme shortly before 09.00 hrs on Friday January 30. Two crews from Bromyard attended the fire that was caused by paraffin spilt onto a small heater. The couple were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. Fire damage was contained to the living room and smoke damage to the kitchen. |
24th January 2009 |
Ninety nine year old woman died following Tenbury bungalow fire
A woman,aged 99 who lived alone, died when fire broke out in her bungalow home at Mount Orchard, Tenbury Wells in the early hours of Saturday January 24. Crews from Tenbury and Bromyard were alerted at 05.45 hrs. Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus with two hose reels,entered the property and found the woman on the floor of a bedroom. She was carried out and pronouced dead by paramedics. The bungalow was badly damaged. The aerial ladder platform from Hereford was later used to gain access to the roof. Following a fire investigation it was determined that the " most likely " cause of the fire was a discarded cigarette. |
17 - 22 January 2009 |
Woman killed in M5 lorry crash
The woman passenger in the cab of a lorry was pronounced dead at the scene following a collision with another lorry on the southbound carriageway of the M5 north of Junction 8 shortly after 05.00 hrs on Thursday January 22nd. Crews from Worcester and Upton on Severn attended. The driver of the lorry was taken to hospital by land ambulance.
Smoke canister thrown into Leominster hotel
Leominster firefighters used a positive pressure ventilator to extract smoke from The Black Swan Hotel, West Street, Leominster after a smoke canister had been thrown into the building where a "wake" was taking place following the funeral of two local men on Wednesday January 21st. West Mercia Police are investigating the incident that resulted in the evacuation of the Hotel and caused £200 worth of damage to a carpet.
Youth suffering from vertigo led to safety from quarry face
A youth suffered a vertigo attack as he and a friend attempted to climb the face of the North Malvern Quarry on Saturday January 17th. He was led to safety, unhurt, by two firefighters from Malvern. |
14 - 16 January 2009
Jason Pardoe
Photo : SWNS
|
Shift worker saves drowning woman from icy river by grabbing branch A late shift worker leapt into an icy river and saved a drowning woman by clinging to a branch for 30 minutes until firefighters hauled the freezing pair to safety.
Jason Pardoe jumped into the rain-swollen river in pitch darkness after he saw a young woman being carried away by the powerful current. The 34-year-old was walking home along the banks of the River Wye in Hereford after a night shift when he heard the woman screaming for help at 3am. He followed the noise and spotted the woman, who was struggling to stay afloat in water temperatures estimated at just 2C.
Mr Pardoe called the police on his mobile phone and leapt in fully-clothed but was immediately swept downstream by the current. But he managed to grab a passing tree branch and clung on for 30 minutes until firefighters arrived in a rescue boat.
Mr Pardoe, a printer, from Hereford, said: "I heard a lot of loud screaming and a cry for help. I realised the current was taking her so I jumped in. "We were clinging to each other and were both very cold and we were literally praying for the boat to turn up. It was a pretty strong current and felt like a long time, but at the end of the day we made it."
The rescue happened in the early hours of Friday morning as Mr Pardoe walked home early from a night shift because he was feeling unwell. After being rescued by firefighters the pair were rushed to hospital suffering from mild hyperthermia but were released later that morning.
It is not clear how the woman - who has not been named - fell into the river. Rescue crews said Mr Pardoe saved the woman's life and they will now be recommending him for a bravery award. Neil Pigott, of Hereford and Worcester Fire Service, said: "I don't think it's any exaggeration to call him a hero. Any person would have known that their life was at risk doing what he did. "It was very unusual that anybody would still be alive in water the temperature that it was. We had to launch a rescue boat incredibly quickly to ensure they survived."
Mr Pardoe said: "I'm not a hero. The people in the emergency services are the real heroes. Somebody was in trouble and I wanted to help them. I'm OK and I'm just grateful we both came out of the situation alive."
Inspector Callie Bradley, of Hereford police, said: "This was an extremely brave and dangerous act in entering the water in complete darkness and at this time of year when the river is very cold. I'm sure his actions saved the young lady and prevented a possible fatality."
Courtesy of the Telegraph
Pet dog perishes in house fire A family's pet spaniel dog perished in a fire that badly damaged a four bedroom detached house at Suffolk Way, Droitwich on Thursday January 15. The house was unoccupied at the time the fire was reported. The Red Cross Victim Support Unit attended to assist the family. A fire investigation will follow later to determine the cause of the fire that started in the kitchen.
Electric blanket in bedroom fire
An elderly lady was given oxygen therapy following a fire involving an electric blanket at her home in Partridge Lane, Callow Hill, Redditch on Wednesday January 14. A crew from Redditch attended together with paramedics.
USAR team used to shore up derelict building
A USAR team was used to shore up part of a derelict hotel building in Greyfriars Avenue, Hereford on Wednesday January 14. This was to enable firefighters to safely extinguish a small deep seated fire in the basement of the property.
Acid leak from lorry load of batteries on A40 at Ross on Wye Crews from Ross on Wye, Hereford, together with the environment protection unit from Evesham were engaged in a four hour clear up operation on the A40 after some of the four and a half tonnes of batteries, loaded on a lorry, leaked acid. |
8th January 2009 |
Make a Difference – Join the Fire Service
If you’re looking for a new challenge for 2009 which helps you to stay fit, earn extra money and helps your local community, then Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service could have the answer for you.
The Service is looking to recruit more Retained Firefighters at fire stations across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Retained (part-time) Firefighters are a vital part of the modern Fire Service. Over 60% of fire cover in the UK is provided by Retained Firefighters. They are provided with the same training, equipment and uniform as their full time colleagues
Retained Firefighters agree to be available for a certain number of hours a week. During this time they carry a pager and must be able to get to the Fire Station within five minutes of a call. They can respond either from home or from work. This flexibility allows Retained staff to carry on with their day-to-day activities, whether at home or at work, and then respond to the call out as necessary.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mike Redfern said: “We are launching the recruitment campaign because we need more Retained Firefighters, particularly in our more rural areas. Retained Firefighters provide a vital service to their community and we’re looking for people from all walks of life who want to make a real difference.”
To become a Retained Firefighter you must:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Be able travel to the Fire Station in 5 minutes (from work/home)
- Agree to be available for a certain number of hours a week
- Be reasonably fit
Retained Fire Fighters can earn up to £8,000 per year (depending on call-outs) and full training and equipment is provided. Many local employers have found that allowing their staff to become Retained Firefighters makes good business sense; as they can keep and enhance the skills of valuable staff, avoid fire risks to their business and ensure good emergency cover for the local community at times of need.
If you would like to find more about the vacancies please visit www.hwfire.org.uk or call the recruitment line (available 24 hours a day) on 01905 368378.
|
8th January 2009 |
First fatal Road Traffic Collision of 2009
Crews from Kidderminster attended a fatal RTC on the A456 at Blakedown on Thursday, January 8. No other vehicle was involved.
Firefighters Urge Motorists to Drive Safely
Firefighters across Herefordshire and Worcestershire are urging drivers to take extra care on the roads this week as the cold weather continues - making driving conditions hazardous. Even though a lot of the snow has melted there are still ice patches on some of the roads so motorists are advised to be prepared and adjust their driving to suit the road and weather conditions.
Group Manager, Ian Prust said: “Sadly we know all too well that when the weather conditions are bad we attend more road traffic collisions. Driving too quickly when the roads are still icy can lead to serious injury and fatal collisions. I would like to remind motorists who are on the roads during this cold spell to drive carefully. Even though the snow may have melted there is still ice on the roads. It is vital that motorists drive appropriately according to the road conditions so they don’t end up injuring themselves or other road users.” |
Early January 2009 |
False Alarm at Lygon Arms Hotel, Broadway Crews from Broadway, Evesham, Pebworth and the aerial ladder platform from Worcester attended a report of ‘smoke’ in the spa facility at the Lygon Arms Hotel, Broadway on Wednesday, January 7. Following an investigation in the premises, the cause of the incident was found to be a fault on the fire alarm system.
Smoke Alarm Alerts Woman to Oven Fire A Worcester crew gave a woman oxygen after she was affected by smoke following an oven fire at her home in Dines Green on Tuesday, January 6. The small fire was extinguished prior to the arrival of the crew after the woman had been alerted by a working smoke alarm.
USAR Called to Shore up Leominster Property
A USAR team was called into insert temporary shoring equipment in a property at Hay Lane, Leominster on Tuesday, January 6 following a woodburner fire that affected a wooden beam.
"Fires" Reported at Two Schools were Tyres Burning at Nearby Farm
Crews attended reported "fires" at Cranham Drive Junior School and Elgar College of Technology on Tuesday, January 6 – both ‘false alarms good intent’ - the fire was eventually found in the same locality at Moat House Farm, Hindlip Lane where approx 20 tyres were on fire in the open, out of control. A crew from Worcester used one hose reel with foam to extinguish the fire.
Petrol Tanker Spills 7,700 Litres after M5 Crash
A Tesco petrol tanker overturned and spilt 7,700 litres of fuel on the northbound carriageway of the M5 between Junctions 7 & 8 on Sunday, January 4. Crews from Worcester, Droitwich, Evesham, Upton, Ledbury and Malvern were involved in the clear up operation which lasted nearly 14 hours. The tanker driver suffered minor injuries and the motorway was closed to traffic in both directions.
|
2009 News Archive |
|
2008 News Archive |
|
