News Headlines... July 2011
To go straight to any of July's news click on the links below.
Herefordshire House Fire | Fladbury Flat Fire | Recycling for Fire Fighter Charity | Garden Bonfire Warning | Man Freed from Van | Droitwich Homes Evacuated | Charity Car Wash | Bromsgrove House Fire | Water Safety Advice | Well Rescue | Horse Rescue | Chimney Fire Safety Week | Fuse Box Fire | Ledbury Kitchen Fire | Textile Recycling for Charity | LPG Leak Warning | Competition Prizes Awarded | Dorstone Fatal RTC | Rubery Roof Fire | M42 Collision | MP Visits Service | Ashton Under Hill RTC | Thatch Property Warning | Mobile Home Fire | Charity Car Wash | Evesham Open Day | Service Training Exercise | Injured Man Freed | Cadet Station Visit | Powick Caravan Fire | Harvington Field Fire | Worcester Community Day Success | Award for Winning Team | Smoke Alarm Reminder | Tea Light Fire | Fire Director Visit | Water Safety Launch |
Mali Community Benefits |
Tenbury Wells Factory Fire |
Beoley Farm Fire |
Leominster Kitchen Fire |
Worcester Community Safety Day |
Cooking Warning Issued
Herefordshire House Fire
Friday 29 July
A fire investigation has been launched after a woman died following a house fire in Abbey Dore, Herefordshire.
Firefighters from Hereford, Peterchurch and Ewyas Harold were called to Riverdale Park at just after 3pm yesterday afternoon (Thursday 28 July).
Group Commander George Sherry said: "Crews wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and then rescued an elderly female occupant. They gave casualty care to the lady and then paramedics treated her at the scene."
The woman was then airlifted to hospital and the stop message was given at just before 4.30pm once the fire was extinguished.
"Sadly, it has been confirmed that the lady has died and our thoughts are very much with her family at this time."
Whilst the cause of the fire is now under investigation it is believed that it started accidentally.
Fladbury Pub Fire
Friday 29 July
Firefighters tackled a fire at Fladbury pub throughout the night after a fire broke out in its roof.
The fire happened at The Chequers Inn, Chequers Lane, at just after 2am this morning (Friday 29 July).
Crews from Evesham, Pershore and Broadway were called to the fire and on arrival found part of the roof alight. Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and two hose reels were used to bring the fire under control.
Around 15 per cent of the roof was affected by fire and the first floor of the property was also affected by smoke
Station Commander Adrian Thompson said: "On arrival the fire was very well developed. The crews on scene carried out a rapid response and managed to bring the fire under control quickly. Their actions undoubtedly saved the historic building from further damage.
The stop message was given at just after 5.30am this morning - once the fire was extinguished and re-inspections were carried out later on.
The cause of the fire is now under investigation.
The landlord of The Chequers Inn has today confirmed that as the pub on the ground floor has not been affected by fire it will be open for business as usual.
Textile Recycling in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity
Thursday 28 July
Throwing out some old clothes? Well, you can now recycle them at three sites in Worcestershire and raise funds for The Fire Fighters Charity at the same time!
The textile recycling scheme for The Fire Fighters Charity has been a very successful fundraising initiative nationally, generating an income for the charity of over £17,000 on average per month.
Recognising fire stations as key community sites, this fundraising scheme gives local householders the choice to support their local firefighters by dropping their unwanted clothes in a textile bank on a fire station.
The Fire Fighters Charity now has over 300 fire stations across the UK providing a textile bank for public use and the income generated nationally through textile recycling for 2010/11 was over £205,000. The Charity helps sick or injured fire fighters through therapy, recuperation and beneficiary support services.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has now located Fire Fighters Charity textile banks at Bewdley and Pershore Fire Stations and at Bransford Nurseries in Worcester (in addition to the one at Ledbury Fire Station) and would welcome donations of clothes, underwear, linen, hand bags and pairs of shoes.
For further details of the textile recycling scheme, please contact Kevin Biles, national coordinator for The Fire Fighters Charity at kbiles@firefighterscharity.org.uk .
Garden bonfire warning
Thursday 28 July
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) is urging anyone planning to have a bonfire in their garden to give careful consideration to both where they light it and what the weather conditions are like.
The warning comes after a bonfire in a garden in Morton Road in the Fernhill Heath area of Worcester yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 27 July) got out of control and spread to several neighbouring gardens, damaging fencing and sheds.
H&WFRS received the first of 14 calls about the incident at around 2.10pm, and two fire appliances from Worcester and one from Droitwich attended. Firefighters used two hose reel jets and two main jets to tackle the blaze, bringing it under control by 3.45pm.
Station Commander Dean Baker from H&WFRS said: "The bonfire had been lit near some conifer trees which, due to the dry conditions and the breeze on the day, quickly caught light. The fire then spread along the row of conifers into six neighbouring gardens, destroying fencing and a total of eight sheds and outbuildings.
"Thankfully no one was injured but we want to use this incident to highlight our garden bonfire advice."
H&WFRS recommends:
- Locate your bonfire well clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences and hedges
- Avoid burning garden waste when it's windy as the bonfire can easily get out of control
- Never use a flammable liquid to start the fire, and never burn aerosol cans, paint tins, batteries, tyres or foam-filled furniture
- Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby as a safety precaution
- Before lighting the fire, check there are no animals hiding or children playing in it
- Never leave the bonfire unattended. An adult should supervise it at all times, with children kept a safe distance away
- Use plenty of water if you need to damp the fire down
Station Commander Baker also reminded people not to risk injury by tackling an out-of-control bonfire themselves, but instead to call the Fire Service and wait for firefighters, who are trained to deal with these type of incidents, to arrive.
Man freed from van following M42 collision
Wednesday 27 July
A man was taken to hospital yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 26 July) following a collision along the eastbound carriageway of the M42 motorway, between junctions 1 and 2.
The incident happened just before 4pm and involved a single vehicle.
One fire engine from Bromsgrove and two from Redditch attended and firefighters worked alongside ambulance personnel to release a man who was trapped inside his van.
He was freed from the vehicle at around 5pm and taken to hospital by land ambulance.
The motorway was closed for a short time during the incident. Police and the air ambulance also attended.
Droitwich homes evacuated
Wednesday 27 July
Seven people were evacuated from their homes in Shepherds Rise in Droitwich in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday 27 July) after a fire that started in the garden spread to two neighbouring houses.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was alerted to the incident at around 1.10am and two fire engines from Droitwich attended. Firefighters in breathing apparatus brought the fire under control by 1.40am, with cutting away and damping down continuing after this. Positive pressure ventilation equipment was also used to help clear the smoke from the two houses.
While there were no injuries reported, two children and five adults who had been evacuated from their homes during the fire were checked by ambulance staff at the scene as a precautionary measure. A fence panel, plus window frames, fascia boards and guttering on the two houses were damaged during the incident.
Crew Commander Chris Jelfs from H&WFRS said: "Fortunately the occupant of one of the houses involved was still awake and noticed the smoke before the fire spread any further."
He confirmed that initial investigations suggest that the fire started after a cigarette end was discarded in a plastic container in the garden. This caught alight then spread to the fence panel and then to the back of the two houses.
He added: "This incident highlights two important fire safety messages. Firstly, smokers are reminded to ensure that their cigarettes are fully extinguished and that they take care where they dispose of cigarette ends.
"Secondly, the incident underlines how important it is to have a smoke alarm fitted in the home and that it is tested on a regular basis."
Fire crews ensured both properties had working smoke alarms installed before they left the scene of the incident.
Fire station car wash raises charity funds
Wednesday 27 July
A charity car wash held at Kidderminster fire station on Saturday (23 July) raised almost £600 for charity.
The event was run by volunteers to help raise funds for both the Fire Fighters Charity and Forest Dog Rescue, based in Oakhill Avenue in Kidderminster.
Watch Commander Amy Waring from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service thanked all those who supported the car wash and donated so generously. She said: "We were really pleased with the day. Around 100 cars came through the station and we raised an amazing £593.28 which will be split equally between the two charities.
"There were plenty of volunteers from both the fire station and Forest Dog Rescue, and they all worked really hard on the day, washing cars and also handing out vehicle crime reduction packs, information on fire safety in the home and also details on the dogs at Forest Dog Rescue who need re-homing."
She also passed on thanks to Tesco and Morrisons for their donations to buy equipment for the car wash, and to Pets at Home who donated some treats for the dogs.
A further £124.50 was also donated to Forest Dog Rescue by a member of staff from Kidderminster Fire Station.
House fire in Talbot Road, Bromsgrove
Wednesday 27 July
An investigation has been launched following a fire at a house in Talbot Road in the Charford area of Bromsgrove in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday 27 July).
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was alerted to the incident just after 12.30am and two fire appliances from Bromsgrove and one from Droitwich were dispatched to the scene.
Firefighters used water from a fire bucket to extinguish a fire in the hallway of the two-storey house and then escorted a woman and her two children, who had taken refuge in an upstairs bedroom, to safety. They were taken by ambulance to hospital for precautionary checks for the effects of smoke inhalation and shock.
Fire investigators are working with the police to establish how the fire started.
Station Commander Steve Fox from H&WFRS explained: "Thankfully there was a working smoke alarm fitted in the house which activated and alerted the occupants. They called the fire service, and then followed the safety advice they were given by staff at H&WFRS's Fire Control. This involved staying together in an upstairs room, shutting the door and sealing any gaps to prevent smoke getting in while they waited for firefighters to arrive and put out the fire."
The family was then led to safety within minutes of fire crews arriving.
Station Commander Fox praised the family for staying calm and following the advice they were given. He said that the incident could have had far more serious consequences if the house had not been fitted with a smoke alarm, and he urged everyone to check their own alarms are in working order.
Water safety warning
Wednesday 27 July
With the school holidays starting and the weather set to warm up, police and fire officers are joining forces to promote water safety near the counties' rivers, lakes and canals.
They want to highlight the dangers of open water and encourage residents, whatever their age, to take care and enjoy the summer in safety.
Station Commander Grant Wills from Community Safety at Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Service said: "Both the Fire Service and the police get called to many water-related incidents, particularly during spells of hot weather when people are more tempted to take a dip to cool down.
"While the water might be inviting, it's also fraught with danger and so we want make people aware of the risks so that they will think twice about going into the water, or indeed allowing their children to play unsupervised near the water's edge."
The advice from the police and the fire service is:
- Avoid swimming in rivers, lakes and canals. The water can be cold enough to cause difficulty for euln the most experienced swimmers and there may be hidden depths or currents, or debris under the water that could cause injury or infection.
- Heed warning signs located near open water, and never enter the water near weirs, locks, pipes and sluices.
- Never dive or jump from bridges. You can never be sure how deep the water is, and you could easily suffer serious injury.
- Take care near river banks which can be slippery.
- Encourage your children to learn to swim and make sure they are supervised at all times near open water.
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Stay together near water so that if one person should get into difficulty, there is still someone who can call for help.
Chief Inspector Adam Thomas from West Mercia Police added: "It's easy to understand how inviting it might be to take a dip in a river or quarry pool during the warmer weather.
"However, swimming in unauthorised, unsupervised stretches of water is extremely dangerous and could even prove deadly. Our firm advice is 'Do not be tempted' – but stick to local swimming pools and supervised swimming spots instead."
Woman Rescued From Well
Monday 25 July
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was called to Abbots Moreton, Inkberrow, Worcestershire at around 3.45pm this afternoon after receiving a call reporting a woman trapped down a well.
The local fire crew from Redditch was promptly on location; assessed the situation and secured the scene in readiness for the specialist Urban Search and Rescue Crew from Droitwich and Line Rescue Team from Malvern to arrive. The woman had been carrying out maintenance works down the well when she fell off the ladder into the water and was unable to regain her position on the ladder.
During the rescue crews used gas monitoring equipment to constantly check air quality at the foot of the well where the lady was trapped - approximately 25 feet down, and used a portable ventilation fan to improve the air quality for the woman.
Once in place, fire and rescue crews worked carefully and in close liaison with paramedics to ensure that a safe rescue was carried out. At around 5:10pm this afternoon, the woman was winched from the well by the line rescue team from Malvern and handed over to ambulance personnel for assessment and treatment for the effects of exposure to cold water.
Horse rescued from river
Monday 25 July
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was called to Twyford Bypass in Evesham at around 7.50pm on Saturday evening (23 July) after fishermen reported a horse stuck in mud in the River Avon.
One fire appliance and the water rescue vehicle from Evesham attended the incident where the crews found a horse stuck up to its shoulders in deep mud at the edge of the river. With the RSPCA in attendance, they used lines and strops to pull the horse from the mud to firmer ground. The horse was then checked by a vet at the scene, and although suffering from fatigue and the effects of the cold water, it was otherwise uninjured.
Praising the fishermen who called the emergency services, Station Commander Dave Holland from H&WFRS said: "We believe that the horse had been in the water for some time before we were alerted and as a result she was very tired and cold and had little energy left to help herself. With only her head and shoulders visible above the water we attached a rescue line and strops and managed to release her from the mud. She then managed to move along the river bank to shallower water but she became stuck a second time and we had to repeat the process.
"She was finally brought to safety just after 9pm, and is expected to make a full recovery from her ordeal, much to the relief of her owner."
Chimney Fire Safety Week
Monday 25 July
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) is joining fire services across England to promote this year's Chimney Fire Safety Week, which starts today (Monday 25 July).
The principal aim of the campaign is to encourage householders to get their chimney swept early to ensure it is fire-safe before the weather turns colder.
While this might be the last thing on most people's minds at this time of year, H&WFRS is recommending that it's best to check the chimney's safety now while it is out of use, and to avoid the rush as chimney sweeps approach their busiest period from September onwards.
H&WFRS is therefore urging householders to book their appointments now.
Watch Commander Darren Packwood from H&WFRS's Community Safety Team explained: "An open fire is an increasingly popular choice but without proper maintenance, a chimney can be dangerous. The latest statistics show that there are approximately 6,000 chimney fires a year in England, but most of these are preventable."
He advised that to keep your family and home safe from fire, you should take care to have your chimney swept regularly, ideally before the colder winter months set in and you begin to use your fire and chimney again.
It's recommended that chimneys are swept up to four times a year if you are burning wood, twice a year if you burn bituminous coal and at least once a year is recommended when using smokeless coals, oil or gas.
Watch Commander Packwood added: "H&WFRS will focus on chimney safety again as our annual winter safety campaign gets underway at the end of September. However, we saw an early peak in chimney fires before this last autumn and so we are keen to support the national campaign to encourage people to have their chimneys swept now.
"We work closely with registered chimney sweeps across Herefordshire and Worcestershire and they tell us that as long as the birds have finished nesting, which they have by now, it's not too early to get your chimney swept, and that it will be much easier to make a booking now than if you leave it until September."
He urged people to contact a chimney sweep now while it's fresh in their minds, and also to ensure that their smoke alarms are in good working order.
Further information on chimney fire safety is available on our website while full details of approved chimney sweeps operating locally can be found at www.apics.org.uk, www.guildofmasterchimneysweeps.co.uk or www.nacs.org.uk.
Fuse box fire, Hagley
Monday 25 July
A woman needed hospital treatment after being injured in a fire at her home in Hagley in North Worcestershire at the weekend.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was called to reports of a fire at the Newlands Close flat shortly after midday on Saturday 23 July, and two fire engines from Kidderminster attended along with two further pumps from West Midlands Fire Service (Stourbridge and Brierley Hill).
Firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the smoke filled flat and used a hose reel and three CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers to put out the fire which had broken out in the fuse box.
A female at the address suffered minor burns to her shoulder during the incident.
Station Commander Adrian Thompson from H&WFRS said that the fire was believed to have been caused by an electrical fault in the fuse box.
He said: "Molten plastic from the outer casing of the fuse box fell on to the woman as she was leaving the flat, injuring her shoulder, and she was taken by ambulance to hospital to have this looked at, and to be checked for the effects of smoke inhalation."
He explained that the flat was heavily smoke logged, but that the building was fitted with a sophisticated two-phase smoke detector system, which activates an alarm inside the flat as well as in the stairwell and common areas of the building to alert other residents should the flat itself be unoccupied as a fire broke out.
He urged everyone to ensure they have a working smoke alarm fitted in their home and to make sure that their fuse boxes are checked on a regular basis by a competent electrician.
Kitchen fire in Ledbury
Monday 25 July
Firefighters are reminding people to keep a watchful eye on their cooking following an incident in Ledbury at the weekend.
Two fire engines from Ledbury were dispatched to a flat in Lawnside Road at 11.35pm on Friday evening (22 July) after cooking left unattended in the oven at the address caught fire.
While the fire in the kitchen was out as crews arrived, there was extensive smoke logging in the flat, and so firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the premises and used a hose reel jet to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and then positive pressure ventilation equipment to clear the smoke.
Station Commander Adrian Thompson from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the occupant was given advice on safe cooking following the incident, as well as advice on the importance of having working smoke alarms and having an escape route planned in case of fire. Other households in the immediate area were also offered home fire safety advice.
Station Commander Thompson added: "We've been called to several kitchen fires recently where the occupier has gone out or gone to bed, leaving their cooking unattended. The food has then overheated and caught fire, but thankfully has been noticed before any significant damage has been caused. However such incidents have the potential to be very serious and so we are keen to remind people to keep a watchful eye on their cooking at all times, and to get into the habit of double checking cooking appliances are switched off before leaving the house or going up to bed."
Textile Recycling in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity
Thursday 21 July
Throwing out some old clothes? Well, you can now recycle them at Ledbury Fire Station and raise funds for The Fire Fighters Charity at the same time
The textile recycling scheme for The Fire Fighters Charity has been a very successful fundraising initiative nationally, generating an income for the charity of over £17,000 on average per month.
Recognising fire stations as key community sites, this fundraising scheme gives local householders the choice to support their local firefighters by dropping their unwanted clothes in a textile bank on a fire station.
The Fire Fighters Charity now has over 300 fire stations across the UK providing a textile bank for public use and the income generated nationally through textile recycling for 2010/11 was over £205,000. The Charity helps sick or injured fire fighters through therapy, recuperation and beneficiary support services.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has located a Fire Fighters Charity textile bank at Ledbury Fire Station in Bye Street and would welcome donations of clothes, underwear, linen, hand bags and pairs of shoes.
If you would like further details of the scheme, please contact the national coordinator Kevin Biles at kbiles@firefighterscharity.org.uk.
Warning following LPG leak
Thursday 21 July
Herefordshire firefighters were called to a petrol station in Holmer Road in Hereford yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 20 July) after staff reported a gas leak from a LPG (liquid petroleum gas) fuelled car on the forecourt.
The incident was reported to Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) at around 2.25pm and fire engines from Leominster and Bromyard were sent to the incident.
Firefighters in breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet and a gas monitor as they approached the car and attempted to re-seal the leaking valve. They were unable to isolate the leak and so called for an Autogas engineer who provided a blank cap which firefighters in breathing apparatus then fitted to the vehicle. The car was then removed from the forecourt and taken to an Autogas garage for precautionary checks.
Station Commander Martin Lown from H&WFRS praised the staff at the garage for the way they handled the incident. He said: "On noticing the gas leak, they alerted the emergency services then evacuated the premises, isolated the power and set up a cordon. With these safety measures in place, firefighters could then get straight on with their attempts to stem the leak."
He confirmed that the stop message was given just before 4pm, with fire crews leaving the petrol station a few minutes later.
He also explained that H&WFRS is being called to more incidents involving LPG fuelled cars as the cars have become more common, and he urged all motorists using this type of vehicle to ensure they have the LPG system serviced regularly and that they use a fuel cap cover to prevent any dirt getting in, which can cause the valve to stick open and the gas to leak out.
Prizes awarded for Road Safety competition
Wednesday 20 July
The winners of a road safety competition held at the recent Three Counties Show were invited to Fire Service headquarters yesterday evening (Tuesday 19 July) to receive their prizes.
The six youngsters and their families were welcomed at Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service's (H&WFRS) headquarters in Charles Hastings Way, Worcester by Assistant Chief Fire Officer Richard Lawrence and other partner agencies, including West Mercia Police and the Safer Roads Partnership, who joined the Fire Service at the Emergency Services stand at the Three Counties Show in June.
The theme for this year's stand was rural road safety, and so throughout the three days of the Show, children were invited to take part in a series of activities to raise their awareness of road safety issues, targeted at their particular age group. This included colouring competitions, word searches and work sheets, each highlighting the roles of the various emergency services, the importance of wearing bright and reflective clothing at night time and the risks of distractions when driving.
Gill Pinder, Education Liaison Officer with H&WFRS said: "We were delighted with how many young people we reached with our road safety messages during the course of the show. We had more than 800 entries in total, including some fantastic artwork from many of the children who took part."
She confirmed that six winners were presented with a prize and a certificate by Assistant Chief Fire Officer Richard Lawrence at the prize giving evening.
The winners, from across the two counties, were:
- Cordelia Legros, aged 8, from Red Hill Primary School, Worcester, who was presented with a Malvern Hills Treasure Trail voucher for her 'Distractions In the Car' Road Safety worksheet
- Harriet Crump, aged 8, from Dodford First School, near Bromsgrove, who was presented with a Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo voucher for her colouring of 'A Police Car'
- Lily Gawlik, aged 9, from Eastnor Primary School, Herefordshire, who was presented with a Severn Valley Railway voucher for her colouring of 'A child crawling under smoke to escape from a burning room'
- Annabelle Lane, aged 9, from Peterchurch Primary School, Herefordshire, who was presented with a Severn Valley Railway voucher for her 'Make me Bright' Road Safety colouring, cutting and gluing sheet
- Callum Harris, aged 12, from Nunnery Wood High School, Worcester, who was presented with a West Midland Safari Park voucher for his colouring of 'A Police Officer'
- Nathan Cook, aged 12, from The Hereford Academy, who was presented with a West Midland Safari Park voucher for his Road Safety word search
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Richard Lawrence praised all of the children who took part, saying: "These competitions were designed to raise awareness of road safety issues and it's clear from the standard of the entries received that the youngsters participating understand these safety messages. I'd like to congratulate the winners, and hope they and their families enjoy using their vouchers."
H&WFRS also thanked Severn Valley Railway, West Midlands Safari Park, Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo and Treasure Trails for their support in donating prizes.
Fatal RTC at Dorstone, Herefordshire
Tuesday 19 July
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was called to Dorstone in Herefordshire late last night (Monday 18 July) to assist at the scene of a serious road traffic collision.
The call reporting the incident was received just before 11.45pm and fire engines from Peterchurch and Eardisley were dispatched, joining police and ambulance crews at the scene. A car with five people inside it had left the road, leaving one female passenger trapped inside it.
Fire crews then worked alongside ambulance staff to release the female who was trapped in the back of the vehicle. She was given first aid at the scene and was then taken by land ambulance to hospital where she later died.
The other occupants of the car were also treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.
Police are investigating the incident.
Roof fire in Rubery
Tuesday 19 July
Firefighters from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) were called to Callowbrook Lane in Rubery at around 3.55pm yesterday afternoon (Monday 18 July) following reports of a roof on fire.
Two fire engines from Bromsgrove were initially dispatched to the incident and assessing the extent of the fire in the roof of the semi-detached house, firefighters requested extra assistance. They were then joined by the Aerial Ladder Platform from Worcester and further fire engines from Northfield (West Midlands) and Redditch.
Six firefighters in breathing apparatus were involved in tackling the fire, with three hose reels and one main line jet used. They brought the fire under control just before 7pm although crews remained at the scene after this to ensure the roof was safe and the house was protected from the elements.
There were no injuries as a result of the incident, and fire damage was confined to the roof space although some smoke had seeped into the adjoining property.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
M42 collision
Tuesday 19 July
Crews from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) were called to junction 1 of the M42 motorway at 1.55pm yesterday afternoon (Monday 18 July) following a road traffic collision involving three vehicles.
One fire engine from Bromsgrove and two from Redditch attended the incident, along with the Incident Support Unit from Droitwich.
Fire crews used hydraulic cutting equipment to release a female trapped inside one of the vehicles, and she was then taken by land ambulance to hospital.
Police, ambulance and the Highways Agency also attended the incident.
Fire crews made safe the vehicles involved in the collision before leaving the scene at around 2.30pm.
MP visits Fire Service
Monday 18 July
A water rescue demonstration carried out today by firefighters on the River Severn was observed by The Shadow Minister for Communities and Local Government.
Chris Williamson MP visited Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service to gain an insight into the day to day running of the organisation and how it works to protect its local communities.
He was firstly given a tour of Droitwich Fire Station by Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates and was then shown around the Service's Urban Search and Rescue base in the town. He then met firefighters at the River Severn, in Worcester. The crews set up a training demonstration and showed how they would rescue a casualty from the water using their boats and related equipment.
Cllr Derek W Prodger MBE, who is chair of the Fire Authority said: "We have highly trained firefighters in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and they certainly don't just fight fires. This was an opportunity for the Service to show their skills set and the range of equipment they manage on a day to day basis. We have many waterways in our two counties and our resources are called on time and time again to help keep our communities safe."
Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates said: "We were delighted to show Chris around our Service so that he could see some of the great work we're involved in. Our site at Droitwich houses not only a fire station but also the Urban Search and Rescue team, who offer a specialist response to often unique incidents.
"The water rescue demonstration was used as a training opportunity and we were able to show Chris what our capabilities are on the water and why it is so vital to have these resources in Herefordshire and Worcestershire."
Serious RTC at Ashton under Hill
Monday 18 July
Firefighters helped release a male trapped inside his car following a road traffic collision along the A46 at Ashton under Hill near Evesham on Friday afternoon (15 July).
The collision, involving a car and a lorry, happened just before 1pm, and fire crews from Evesham and Pershore, plus the Incident Support Unit from Droitwich, joined police and ambulance staff at the scene.
Crews used heavy rescue equipment to remove the roof from the car and free the male driver trapped inside. He was then attended to by medical staff at the roadside before being airlifted to hospital in Birmingham.
Station Commander Gary Jay from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Emergency crews worked effectively alongside each other to release the male as quickly as possible from the car, knowing that he was in need of urgent medical attention."
The car driver was released in just under an hour, suffering multiple serious injuries.
The lorry driver is understood to have been shaken as a result of the incident but otherwise unhurt.
Warning following fire at thatched property
Monday 18 July
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) is urging everyone to ensure they have a working smoke alarm fitted in their home, particularly those living in properties with thatched roofs.
This follows a fire at a cottage in Ashton Under Hill near Evesham at around 5.25am this morning (Monday 18 July). Two fire engines from Evesham were sent along to the address after the occupants found a fire in their oil fired stove.
While the fire was actually out as crews arrived, the Fire Service is keen to use the incident to highlight the importance of having smoke detectors fitted in the home.
Station Commander Phil Griffiths from H&WFRS said: "Fortunately the occupants were alerted to the fire by the smell of smoke and there was no one injured and no damage to the property. However, they didn't have a working smoke alarm fitted and we feel the outcome could easily have been very different, particularly as they live in a thatched cottage."
He confirmed that H&WFRS had arranged a Home Fire Safety Visit where they would be installing smoke detectors and offering the family advice on other aspects of fire safety specific to their home.
He ended: "A working smoke alarm is essential for every home. An early alert can be the difference between minor inconvenience or major damage and injury, and we'd urge everyone to get smoke alarms fitted on each level of their home and to get into the habit of testing them regularly."
Mobile home damaged in fire
Monday 18 July
The roof of a mobile home was extensively damaged during a fire at Coughton near Ross-on-Wye on Sunday (17 July).
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) sent two fire engines from Ross-on-Wye and a third from Whitchurch to the incident following a call at around 8.20am on Sunday morning reporting that a home was on fire at farmland in Coughton.
On arrival, crews found that the occupants had safely evacuated from their mobile home but that the roof of the home was engulfed in flames. Six firefighters in breathing apparatus were involved in tackling the blaze, using two hose reel jets, one covering jet and working at height gear to bring the fire under control.
Station Commander Neil Pigott from H&WFRS said: "Thankfully no one was injured as a result of this fire but the roof suffered severe damage, with an estimated 40 per cent of it destroyed in the blaze."
He said that the fire is believed to have spread from the flue of a wood burning stove fitted in the mobile home.
Charity car wash at Kidderminster fire station
Monday 18 July
A charity car wash will be held at the fire station in Castle Road, Kidderminster between 10am and 2pm this Saturday (23 July).
Watch Commander Amy Waring from H&WFRS said: "The car wash will be run by volunteers to help raise funds for both the Fire Fighters Charity and Forest Dog Rescue, based in Oakhill Avenue in Kidderminster. We hope people will make a note of the date and call by if they can."
She added that firefighters and community safety representatives would also be available on the day with fire, water and road safety advice.
Open Day at Evesham Fire Station
Monday 18 July
Firefighters at Evesham Fire Station will be holding their annual open day on Saturday, July 23.
The free event will be held from 12pm to 4pm at the station in Merstow Green.
Those attending will be able to have a closer look at a range of equipment and vehicles used by the emergency services, and members of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) will be on hand to offer fire, road and water safety advice.
Operational firefighters from Evesham will be carrying out rescue scenarios, and visitors will also have the chance to look around the fire engines, enjoy refreshments and other activities.
Station Commander Gary Jay said: "This is an annual event we all look forward to. It's a chance to show the local community the type of incidents we get called to and the range of community safety work we undertake. We also hope to show the whole family the real dangers involved in some of the hazards we encounter on a daily basis."
With H&WFRS planning to set up a new branch of the Young Firefighters Association (YFA) in Evesham in September, existing members of the YFA will also be on hand during the open day to explain more about the organisation and to encourage young people from Evesham and the surrounding area to consider joining.
Fire Service training exercise
Monday 18 July
Crews from fire stations in the Wyre Forest area will be taking part in a training exercise in Kidderminster later this week.
The exercise, which will be held at Churchfields Business Park in Clensmore Street from 7pm on Thursday evening (21 July), aims to test how the Fire Service gets water to the scene of an industrial fire, with the focus on water relay techniques and the use of high volume pumping equipment.
Red Watch at Kidderminster will be running the exercise, with fire engines from Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley attending along with personnel from the Churchfields industrial site.
Watch Commander Gareth Clarke said: "Exercises of this nature are vital to our on-going training, and we would like to thank those associated with Churchfields Business Park for providing this opportunity."
He also warned that any fire engines seen in the Clensmore Street area on Thursday evening should not be cause for concern as they are likely to be part of the exercise.
Firefighters free injured man
Wednesday 13 July
Firefighters were called to a collision off the A49 at Ford Bridge, Leominster just before 9.30pm last night (Tuesday 12 July) and helped free a man trapped inside his car.
Fire engines from Kingsland, Hereford and Leominster attended the incident which involved a single car that had left the road.
Watch Commander Martin Greenhouse from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) said: "Firefighters worked hard alongside police and ambulance staff to release the driver from the car and get him the medical attention he needed. The vehicle had been badly damaged during the collision and we had to cut the roof off the car to reach him."
The man was then taken by ambulance to hospital.
City Cadets Visit Fire Station
Wednesday 13 July
Cadets from St John Ambulance recently enjoyed a visit to Hereford Fire Station following the completion of their Fire Safety Efficiency training.
The group of cadets, from the Hereford City Cadet Division, were met by Station Commander Martin Lown of Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service. They were also greeted by White Watch from Hereford Fire Station and Community Safety Volunteer Ian Baker, who is also a support member and treasurer for the cadet unit.
The visit included a tour of Hereford Fire Station where they were able to look at the equipment which is carried on the fire engines. They also enjoyed a demonstration of the aerial ladder platform.
"During the session the cadets carried out a practical exercise with hose reels and were then presented with certificates," said Carol Walmsley, Volunteer Coordinator for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
"We were pleased to support this visit as the young people had obviously worked hard whilst completing their Fire Safety Efficiency as part of their ongoing training."
Caravan Fire at Powick
Tuesday 12 July
A static caravan and around 30 metres of hedgerow have been destroyed by a fire at premises on the A449 at Powick, near Worcester.
The incident happened at just before Midday today (Tuesday, July 12) and on arrival firefighters found the caravan to be well alight. Damage was also caused to two nearby vehicles.
Watch Commander Carl Horsburgh from Worcester Fire Station said: "Two fire crews from Worcester and one from Malvern dealt with the fire and at its height three hose reels and one main jet were in use. Thankfully, due to the wind direction, the A449 was not affected by smoke travelling across the carriageway."
The stop message was given at just before 1pm and it is believed the cause of the fire was accidental.
Field fire in Harvington
Tuesday 12 July
Around 15,000 square metres of grass and scrub have been destroyed by fire in Harvington, near Evesham.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was called to reports of a fire in a field off Leys Road in Harvington at around 3.25pm yesterday afternoon (Monday 11 July), and one fire engine from Evesham was dispatched.
Firefighters found a fire in a field of fruit trees which they tackled using two hose reels and beaters to help smother the fire around the perimeter edge. However, as they were tackling the blaze, the wind suddenly changed direction, threatening cut dried grass nearby, and so they called for extra resources, with an additional fire appliance from Pershore joining them at the scene, along with the Pinzgauer and Argocat off-road vehicles from Malvern, to help with access between the fruit trees.
At the height of the incident, three hose reels and one main jet, pumped from a nearby duck pond, were in use.
While the fire was brought under control by around 5.45pm, crews stayed on beyond this time using beaters to tackle any hotspots.
No one was injured as a result of the fire but an extensive area of grass and scrub was destroyed.
Worcester Community Safety Day a success
Monday 11 July
More than 2,000 people attended this year's Worcester Community Safety Day at Worcester Racecourse on Saturday (9 July).
The annual event, hosted by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service in association with Worcester Racecourse and Worcester City Council, was also supported by The Fire Fighters Charity, West Mercia Police, the NHS, St. John Ambulance, West Midlands Search & Rescue and Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) along with road safety and Sports Xtra.
The many attractions at the event included some fascinating demonstrations by fire crews and other the emergency and rescue services, including H&WFRS's Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) team.
Station Commander Chris Churchill from H&WFRS said: "As in previous year's, Worcester Community Safety Day proved an ideal forum for the emergency services to showcase how they work together to respond to a range of incidents, and to raise awareness of the measures people can take to stay safe in their homes, or on the roads and water.
"Those attending certainly seemed to enjoy the day's activities, with the water rescue demonstration from H&WFRS and SARA proving particularly popular."
Foley Park Primary crowned as Young Citizens Challenge winners
Monday 11 July
A team of Year 6 pupils from Foley Park Primary School in Kidderminster has been crowned winners of this year's Young Citizens Challenge for the Wyre Forest area.
Around 1,100 students took part in the challenge, which was jointly organised by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) and West Mercia Police. Wyre Forest District Council Ranger Service, Western Distribution, the Safer Roads Partnership, Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA), Wyre Forest Community Housing, the Red Cross and Thomas Vale Construction were also involved in this year's initiative, held between 8 - 16 June at Stourport Sports Club.
During the Challenge, the participating teams were faced with a number of mock scenarios, each designed to highlight a different aspect of safety. H&WFRS used the smoke house to highlight fire safety issues while internet safety was promoted by West Mercia Police. Western Distribution used the Challenge to highlight safety near electricity sub stations to the young people taking part, while the Safer Roads Partnership raised awareness of stopping distances and SARA concentrated on water safety and water based rescues.
Representatives from the police and the fire service were in school on Friday (8 July) to present the winning team from Foley Park Primary School with the Young Citizens Challenge shield.
Caroline Webster, Community Safety Advisor for H&WFRS praised all the teams that took part, saying: "As always, the youngsters worked hard at the challenges set for them, taking on board the key safety message from each activity. On behalf of the fire service, the police and all the organisations involved in this year's Challenge, I'd like to congratulate each team for a tremendous effort, particularly the winning team from Foley Park Primary School."
Smoke alarm reminder following Worcester house fire
Friday 8 July
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) was called to a fire at a house in Timberdine Avenue in Worcester just after 11pm last night (Thursday 7 July).
Two fire engines from Worcester attended and firefighters in breathing apparatus used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire which had broken out in the first floor bedroom of the house. The property was then ventilated to clear the smoke.
No one was injured but an armchair and a wall in the bedroom were damaged in the fire.
Initial investigations into the cause of the fire are linking it to an incense stick left burning in the bedroom.
Station Commander Adrian Moore from H&WFRS said: "Thankfully the occupants at the address noticed the fire fairly quickly and firefighters were at the scene within minutes, preventing any further spread. "
He continued: "The incident highlights two important fire safety messages. Firstly never leave candles, tea lights or incense sticks unattended and make sure they are fully extinguished after use.
"Secondly, ensure you have a working smoke alarm fitted on every floor of your home and get into the habit of testing all alarms on a weekly basis. An early alert from a smoke alarm really can make a huge difference in the event of a fire, minimising the risk of damage, injury or worse."
Tea light fire damages residential property
Wednesday 6 July
Fire crews from Eardisley, Kington and Kingsland were called to a two storey residential property in Kinnersley, Hereford at around 10:50am yesterday (Tuesday 5th July 2011), after an unattended tea light started a fire.
As the crews arrived on scene, smoke was issuing through several first floor windows. Rapid deployment and prompt actions of the crews in controlling the fire prevented spread from the first floor bedroom to other parts of the property. The heat did however burst plastic water pipes causing ground floor flooding and there was significant smoke damage to the first floor of the building.
Station Commander Sean Bailey said: "The cause of the fire was an unattended candle. Candles and tea lights should always be placed in a suitable holder and never left unattended or located on or near flammable materials.
"Working smoke alarms in the home will give you early warning of a fire but, all smoke alarms –even mains wired alarms should be tested on a weekly basis.
Fire Director Visits Service
Wednesday 6 July
The Director of the Government's Fire, Resilience and Emergencies Department visited Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service to gain an insight into the many initiatives taking place across the two counties.
Neil O' Connor was given information about the Service's volunteer scheme, partnership working and community safety schemes which are already making a difference to people's lives.
During the course of his visit, which took place on Friday (July 1), he was also shown a water rescue demonstration by firefighters on the River Severn at Worcester. The crews set up a training demonstration and showed how they would rescue a casualty from the water using their boats and related equipment.
Neil O' Connor said: "It was a very impressive visit; particularly seeing how the Service has connected with the community. I was also very interested to hear about the approach the Service has taken with prevention and education.
"The community safety initiatives are making a difference to people and real results can be seen."
Chief Fire Officer Mark Yates said: "We were delighted to welcome Neil O' Connor to our Service. His visit has given him a real insight into some of the fantastic work that is making a difference in our communities.
"We were able to show Mr O' Connor how we continue to provide value for money, whilst at the same being a high performing authority – a fact that was noted in the Audit Commission's last national performance report."
Water safety campaign launched at canal re-opening
Tuesday 5 July
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) used its attendance at the canal re-opening in Droitwich at the weekend to launch its water safety campaign.
The Service attends more than 50 water rescues and water based incidents each year (see note below) from rivers, lakes and canals across the two counties, many of them in conjunction with colleagues from other emergency services. Some of the rescues have involved serious injuries or even fatalities, and so H&WFRS is keen to highlight water safety awareness to children, their parents and as wide a cross-section of the local community as possible.
Station Commander Adrian Thompson from H&WFRS said: "We were delighted to be part of this weekend's celebrations to mark the re-opening of the canal at Droitwich. It was fantastic to see so many people enjoying the activities on offer and know that many more tourists are likely to visit the area because this stretch of the canal is now accessible.
"For our part, we want to be sure that all those using the canal stay safe and so we chose to use this weekend's event to highlight water safety to both those on or near the water."
While a full list of water safety tips is available on H&WFRS's website at www.hwfire.org.uk , Station Commander Thompson was keen to stress some key advice for parents.
This includes encouraging children to learn to swim and making sure they are supervised at all times near open water. He urged everyone to take notice of safety information located next to rivers, lakes and canals, and never to enter the water near weirs, locks, pipes and sluices.
He warned that even during the summer months, the water can be cold enough to cause cramp or breathing difficulties, and that there may be pollution, strong currents or objects below the water that aren't easily seen but that can be extremely hazardous to swimmers.
He highlighted how jumping from bridges was particularly dangerous, and warned people never to enter the water while under the influence of alcohol.
He explained that H&WFRS has been called to several incidents recently where people have had to be rescued after they have lost control of their boats on the two counties' rivers or canals, and so also warned those using the waterways to heed any warning signs, to be especially vigilant in high winds or changing water levels.
He ended: "We recommend that people stay together near water so that if one person gets into trouble, there is still someone who can call for help. By being alert to the dangers, everyone can enjoy the water in safety."
Communities in Mali benefit from Fire Service's water policy
Tuesday 5 July
A range of water efficiency measures recently introduced by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) will benefit not only the Service itself but also some of the poorest communities in West Africa.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority has employed the services of the water management company ADSM to better manage the water the Service uses and to help identify areas where water efficiency savings can be made. This has included consumption savings, through fitting water saving devices and identifying leaks, as well as rate reduction savings, from pursuing reductions and rebates from H&WFRS's water providers.
Significant savings have been made as a result of the contract with ADSM, with many of the savings expected to continue well into the future. In addition, a proportion of the cost efficiencies achieved during the period of the contract has been passed on through the AquaFund scheme to support Wateraid, a charity that helps improve access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation for communities in some of the world's poorest countries. The 2010/11 project supported Mali, where lack of access to water and sanitation poses a serious and lasting effect on the health of its population.
Mark Vale, Facilities Manager with H&WFRS, said: "Our participation in this programme has proved to be a success all round, with significant reductions in our water consumption and costs, and many thousands of people in Mali having access to clean, safe water as well."
More information on the project is available at www.wateraid.org/uk.
Factory fire in Tenbury Wells
Tuesday 5 July
Firefighters were called to a factory in Clee Hill Road in Tenbury Wells at 1.40pm yesterday afternoon (Monday 4 July) after a fork lift truck at the premises caught fire.
Fire engines from Tenbury Wells and Leominster attended the incident and on arrival, found a fork lift truck on fire in an outdoor compound at the factory, with the radiated heat from the fire threatening one of two 2,000 litre LPG tanks located nearby.
Crews worked quickly and effectively to extinguish the fire and then used two hose reels and one ground monitor to cool the LPG bullet.
Site engineers assisted by disconnecting power to other equipment at the factory while a gas engineer also attended to confirm isolation of the LPG tank.
Station Commander Adrian Thompson from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "This was a severe fire and firefighters worked hard to bring it under control so rapidly, and minimise any risk from the LPG tank."
He confirmed that the fork lift truck was completely destroyed by the fire, and that a firefighter was taken to hospital for precautionary checks following the incident but later discharged.
Fire at farm in Beoley
Monday 4 July
Fire crews from both Hereford & Worcester (H&WFRS) and Warwickshire fire and rescue services attended a fire at a farm in Beoley this morning (Monday 4 July).
The first of several calls reporting the incident was received just before 1.45am and crews from Redditch, Bromsgrove, Studley and Henley-in-Arden were dispatched to the Seafield Lane address. On arrival, they found a fire involving upwards of 60 wooden pallets as well as some scrap wood and two derelict cars. Firefighters set up a water shuttle and used two hose reels to bring the blaze under control.
Watch Commander Bob Morris from H&WFRS explained: "The fire is believed to have been caused by sparks from a brazier that had been used at the farm the previous evening. While a substantial quantity of pallets were involved in the fire, the prompt actions of firefighters avoided the spread to a further 1,000 wooden pallets and a mobile home nearby."
He confirmed that there were no injuries as a result of the fire.
H&WFRS advises anyone using a brazier or fire pit to position it at a safe distance from property or trees that could catch alight and to be extra vigilant in breezy conditions. Never leave it unattended and make sure pets are kept well away and that children are supervised near it at all times. Keep a water supply or fire extinguisher close by and ensure the fire is fully extinguished after use.
Kitchen fire in Leominster
Monday 4 July
Firefighters were called to a flat in Carl Davies Court in South Street, Leominster at 4.45pm on Friday afternoon (1 July) after a chip pan at the address caught fire.
Two fire engines from Leominster attended and four firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the ground floor kitchen, using a hose reel to extinguish the fire. The flat was then ventilated to clear the smoke.
Watch Commander Martin Greenhouse from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) explained: "The fire started after an unattended chip pan overheated and caught alight. Once the occupants noticed the fire, they did exactly the right thing by closing the kitchen door and ensuring everyone was safely out of the property."
He confirmed that their actions limited the spread of the fire, with damage contained in the kitchen area only. He also reminded people never to leave their cooking unattended and to ensure that have working smoke alarms fitted in their homes.
No one was injured during the incident.
Worcester Community Safety Day – Come and join the fun!
Friday 1 July
Worcester firefighters are inviting everyone along to the annual Worcester Community Safety Day, which takes place at Worcester Racecourse on Saturday 9 July, between 11am and 4pm.
Several thousand people attended this event in 2010 and this year's Community Safety Day promises to be just as successful.
The event, now in its fourth year, is being hosted by Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service in association with Worcester Racecourse and Worcester City Council, and will include some fascinating demonstrations by the emergency and rescue services.
It is aimed at people of all ages and admission is free, with parking facilities available nearby.
Many agencies plan to support the event including The Fire Fighters Charity, West Mercia Police, the NHS, St. John Ambulance, West Midlands Search & Rescue as well as road safety and Sports Xtra.
Events and attractions planned for this year include:
- Water Rescue Demonstrations
- Road Traffic Collision Demonstrations
- Gas Explosion & Oil Pan Fire Demonstrations
- Urban Search and Rescue
- Police Helicopter
There will also be food stalls and face painting, plus competitions with prizes to be won.
Station Commander Chris Churchill from H&WFRS said: "Worcester Community Safety Day is a chance for the emergency services to come together to highlight a range of safety issues in the home, on the roads and on the water. As in previous years, there will be something for all the family to watch, enjoy and take part in, and at the same time, our firefighters and partner agencies will have the opportunity to show the community the kind of work we are called to respond to on a daily basis.
"It's certainly an event we look forward to ourselves and we hope that people will keep the day free and come along with their family and friends."
Fire Service issues cooking warning
Friday 1 July
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (H&WFRS) is highlighting how important it is not to leave cooking unattended after firefighters were called to a smoke-filled house in Bromsgrove on Sunday (26 June).
Neighbours alerted the Fire Service to the incident at 6pm after hearing a smoke alarm and noticing smoke coming from the property in Shaw Lane, Stoke Prior.
One fire engine from Bromsgrove and one from Droitwich attended and firefighters entered the house through the ground floor kitchen window. They found the room full of smoke and a pan with a melted handle boiled dry on the stove.
Firefighters removed the pan from the heat and then cleared the smoke from the house using positive pressure ventilation equipment.
Watch Commander Craig Newman from H&WFRS said: "We understand that the occupant had gone out, leaving the pan cooking on the stove. Fortunately she had a working smoke alarm fitted in her home which alerted her neighbours, and as they could also see smoke coming from the house, they immediately contacted the Fire Service.
"Their prompt intervention certainly helped avoid any serious damage to the house, and we would urge anyone to do the same should they hear a smoke alarm activate or notice smoke coming from a neighbouring property."
He urged everyone to take this opportunity to check their own smoke alarms are working properly, and he also reminded people never to leave their cooking unattended and to ensure that the hobs, grill and cooker are all switched off after use.