Meeting to be held on 20 February 2023
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Jon Charters, Director of Service Delivery
Tel: 01772 866801
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Executive Summary
This report provides Members with information relating to operational incidents of interest since the last report to the Authority.
Recommendation
The Authority is asked to note the report. |
Information
This report provides Members with information relating to operational incidents of interest over the period 1 December 2022 – 31 January 2023.
The following summarises the incidents with further detail provided within the body of the report:
- Serious Road Traffic Collision in Carnforth (17/12/22)
- Fatal domestic building fire in Fence (17/12/22)
- 9 fire engines attend a waste fire in Whittle-Le-Woods (18/12/22)
- 8 fire engines attend a commercial building fire in Blackpool (26/12/22)
- Rescue of a person from water in Bacup (27/12/22)
- 6 fire engines attend a derelict building fire in Preston (31/12/22)
- 6 fire engines attend a commercial building fire in Lancaster (3/1/23)
- 3 fire engines attend domestic property fire in Padiham (3/1/23)
- Fatal domestic building fire in Blackpool (4/1/23)
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LFRS station area: |
N14 Carnforth |
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Date: |
17 December 2022 |
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Time: |
10:42 |
Crews from Bolton le Sands, along with a fire engine from Cumbria were mobilised to a road traffic collision in Burton-In-Kendal. On arrival, an additional fire engine was requested due to the complexity of the extrication.
A vehicle containing a family of 2 adults and 2 children had been involved in a head on collision with a van. Both adults were unconscious but breathing when crews arrived and an attending Police officer had already extricated the 2 children prior to the arrival of the fire service. The driver of the van had also managed to get out of their vehicle.
The Ambulance crews on scene had assessed the 2 adult occupants of the car as being in a critical condition. Fire crews used cutting equipment to release the casualties which enabled them to receive life-saving treatment from the paramedics. Both casualties were subsequently flown by helicopter to the nearest trauma unit.
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P94 Nelson |
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Date: |
17 December 2022 |
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Time: |
14:10 |
Both fire crews from Burnley attended a domestic building fire on Forester Drive in Fence. On arrival firefighters used ventilation fans to clear the smoke, which had been caused by cooking and they quickly located a casualty within the property. Sadly, Ambulance crews confirmed that the casualty was deceased.
Following the investigation by LFRS Incident Intelligence Officers and Police it was found that the death was not a result of the fire incident and there were no suspicious circumstances.
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LFRS station area: |
S55 Leyland |
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Date: |
18 December 2022 |
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Time: |
09:18 |
A fire engine from Leyland was mobilised to a fire at a landfill site near Dawsons Lane. Thermal cameras monitoring the site had identified a small fire.
Although the fire was only showing in a small area, signs of ignition were present over an area of 30 metres. A further 8 fire engines were requested, along with the High-Volume Pump from Burnley, and these resources were supported by the Command Unit from Fulwood and the Drone Team.
After approximately 4 hours of firefighting and monitoring the temperatures using thermal imaging cameras, the incident was reduced to 2 fire engines. At nightfall, crews left the incident open and returned for a re-inspection the following morning. Firefighters noted a slight increase in temperature overnight which resulted in 2 fire engines and the Water Bowser attending the incident and applying cooling water for several hours. The incident was again left open for inspection the following morning by the LFRS Waste Fire Tactical Advisor.
Fire crews attended over several days, applying water for several hours and leaving the incident open for re-inspection.
The site worked to flatten the waste pile, which required the construction of access roads for plant and machinery. LFRS Waste Fire Tactical Advisors remained involved in multi-agency site meetings for several days and the cause of the fire is not believed to be suspicious.
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LFRS station area: |
W30 Blackpool |
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Date: |
26 December 2022 |
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Time: |
13:41 |
A call was received to a domestic dwelling on Church Street in Blackpool. Two fire engines from Blackpool were mobilised. Shortly after arrival a further 6 fire engines were requested from South Shore, Bispham, Fleetwood, Preesall, Lytham and St Annes, the Aerial Ladder Platform from Blackpool, Command Unit from Fulwood, and the Drone Team.
The fire involved the first floor of a commercial property which was starting to spread to the surrounding buildings. Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building with firefighting jets to search for casualties and extinguish the fire. The fire continued to develop and became too dangerous for crews to remain inside. Firefighters were withdrawn from the building and the Aerial Ladder Platform was used to fight the fire externally. Simultaneously, fire teams made an entry into the surrounding buildings, which ensured the fire did not spread to these buildings undetected.
The building on fire later collapsed due to the severity of the fire. Apart from water, heat, and smoke damage, crews had successfully managed to prevent fire from spreading to the adjacent properties. However, there were concerns for the safety and structural integrity of the surrounding buildings following the fire. The area was cordoned off whilst detailed inspections were conducted by local authority building control officers.
Fire crews were at the scene for over 24 hours and LFRS Urban Search and Rescue Team assisted in the search for casualties during demolition, for a further 48 hours, supported by the Merseyside FRS Victim Recovery Dog. Thankfully, no casualties were located and the building was handed over to the owners. Following a detailed fire investigation, a definitive cause could not be confirmed due to the damage caused by the fire and the subsequent collapse of the building.
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LFRS station area: |
P73 Bacup |
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Date: |
27 December 2022 |
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Time: |
14:16 |
A fire engine
from Bacup, the Swift Water Rescue Team from Nelson, and the Water
Incident Unit from Penwortham, supported by the Drone Team were
mobilised to reports of a male in the river, on Huttock End Lane,
Stacksteads.
Crews quickly responded and rescued the casualty from the river using ladders and a spinal board. Sadly, the male was declared deceased by paramedics at the scene.
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C50 Preston |
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Date: |
31 December 2022 |
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Time: |
11:34 |
Six fire crews from Preston, Penwortham, Bamber Bridge and Fulwood, along with the Aerial Ladder Platform from Blackpool attended a disused commercial building fire on Brookfield Street.
The building consisted of 3 floors and was approximately 30m x 40m in size. The fire involved a large quantity of waste material on the 1st floor and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building with firefighting water jets to extinguish the fire. As the building had evidence of rough sleeping, a thorough search was conducted for any casualties.
Electricity had been illegally routed to the premises, which was made safe by Electricity North-West.
The cause of the fire was not confirmed; fire crews were in attendance at the incident for approximately 7 hours.
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LFRS station area: |
N11 Lancaster |
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Date: |
3 January 2023 |
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Time: |
22:07 |
Six fire engines from Lancaster, Morecambe, Bolton-le-Sands, Carnforth, and the command support unit from Fulwood, were mobilised to an incident on Caton Road in Lancaster.
The incident involved a hopper containing approximately 15kg of Sodium Hydrosulphite. The chemical had been subject to an unexpected reaction and was giving off a gaseous vapour thought to be Sulphur Dioxide.
The incident had the potential to cause an explosion and as a result, the building was evacuated and LFRS Corporate Communications team sent out public warning and information messages for those in the local area to keep their doors and windows shut, and to avoid the potential harmful atmosphere in the local area.
During the incident, the gas ignited and the fire was extinguished by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, using firefighting water jets.
Firefighters were at the incident for approximately five hours and the cause of the incident was recorded as accidental.
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LFRS station area: |
P92 Padiham |
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Date: |
3 January 2023 |
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Time: |
07:56 |
Fire crews from Burnley and Padiham attended a domestic building fire on Cardwell Street in Padiham. On arrival crews observed a fire on the ground floor and smoke was issuing from the first-floor window.
Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to extinguish the fire with firefighting water jets. Whilst tackling the fire, crews noticed that an explosion had occurred within the property. The blast had broken and dislodged one of the windows. Due to the suspicious nature of the fire, LFRS fire investigators worked with the Police to determine the cause, which was recorded as deliberate ignition following the comprehensive investigation.
A male was subsequently charged with arson and remains in custody prior to attending Crown Court. Fire crews remained on scene for approximately 8 hours.
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LFRS station area: |
W31 Bispham |
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Date: |
4 January 2023 |
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Time: |
13:31 |
A call was received by Lancashire Police to a property on Montpellier Avenue in Bispham. Crews from Blackpool were mobilised to the address and forced entry to the property. They found a severe fire had taken place in a ground floor room which was being used as a temporary bedroom by the occupant. The fire is believed to have developed and subsequently self-extinguished several days prior to being discovered. Sadly, an elderly female was found in the room, and was declared deceased by paramedics at the scene. LFRS fire investigators and police recorded the cause as accidental.
Business Risk
None
Environmental Impact
Potential impact on local environment in relation to operational incidents. Significant incidents benefit from the attendance of specialist water tower resources (Stingers) which make a positive impact on firefighting operations and reduce the environmental impact.
Equality and Diversity Implications
None
HR Implications
None
Financial Implications
None
Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985
List of background papers
Paper:
Date:
Contact:
Reason for inclusion in Part 2 if appropriate: N/A