Meeting to be held on 19 February 2024
Contact for further information – Assistant Chief Fire Officer Jon Charters
Tel: 01772 866802
Executive SummaryThis report provides Members with information relating to operational incidents of interest since the last report to the Authority.
Recommendation(s)The Authority is asked to note the report.
|
This report provides Members with information relating to operational incidents of interest. This has been a busy operational period, therefore the report details only the larger deployments or more complex incidents attended. As a result, some incidents that Members have been made aware of locally, may not form part of the report.
The following summarises the incidents with further detail provided within the body of the paper:
- Waste fire within former power station in Lancaster
- Fatal road traffic collision in Down Holland
- Person rescued from Blackpool building fire
- Explosion involving domestic properties in Blackburn
- Road traffic collision with car on fire in Lytham
- Male trapped under wagon in Altham
- Firefighters rescue casualties from Blackpool domestic building fire
|
Lancaster |
|
|
Date: |
3 December 2023 |
|
Time: |
05:31 |
Ten fire engines from Lancashire and Cumbria were called to a commercial building fire on Port Royal Avenue, Lancaster. The fire involved a large former power station containing 1000s of tonnes of commercial waste. Firefighters used a number of specialist resources, including a high-volume pump, hazardous materials unit, hose layer, aerial ladder platforms and water towers. Smoke could be seen from across the city, so residents were advised to keep out of the smoke plume and keep windows and doors shut if they could see or smell smoke.
This incident followed extensive multi-agency pre-planning, dating back 2 years, where Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) led tabletop exercises and created a joint response plan with LCC, Lancaster City Council, United Utilities, Environment Agency, and Lancashire Constabulary. As a result of this work, LFRS were able to call on resources quickly and establish sustainable water supplies from pre-planned locations.
LFRS had a continuous attendance at the site for several weeks, whilst demolition work took place and smouldering waste was removed. Fire crews have continued to attend the site periodically thereafter, as waste removal continued.
The cause of the fire was believed to be deliberate, with arrests being made in December.
|
LFRS station area: |
Ormskirk |
|
Date: |
15 December 2023 |
|
Time: |
21:51 |
Fire engines from Ormskirk and Merseyside were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Rosemary Lane, Down Holland. On arrival, crews noted a car had left the road and hit trees, before coming to a stop in a farmer’s field. One passenger had self-extricated, but the driver was not conscious or breathing. Fire crews administered CPR and used a defibrillator. Unfortunately, the driver was declared deceased at the scene.
Fire crews were in attendance for approximately 2 hours.
|
LFRS station area: |
Bispham |
|
Date: |
17 December 2023 |
|
Time: |
08:33 |
Three fire engines from Blackpool, Fleetwood and Bispham were sent to a domestic bungalow fire on Loxley Place in Blackpool. On arrival neighbours confirmed there was somebody in the property and crews could hear calls for help from inside. Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to search for the casualty and to extinguish the fire. A casualty was rescued from the living room, where it was believed the fire had started. The casualty had received burns and was airlifted to Wythenshawe Burns Unit. A dog was also rescued at the incident.
The cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental, involving an electric heater. Fire crews were in attendance for approximately 4 hours.
|
LFRS station area: |
Blackburn |
|
Date: |
17 December 2023 |
|
Time: |
19:40 |
Three fire engines from Blackburn and Hyndburn, the aerial ladder platform from Hyndburn, and the Urban Search and Rescue teams from Bamber Bridge and Chorley attended reports of a gas explosion on London Road, Blackburn. The incident involved a domestic mid-terraced property.
One casualty was confirmed trapped on the upper floor but was conscious and breathing. Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) operatives from LFRS entered the building to locate the trapped person. The LFRS drone was used to make a positive identification. The USAR team located the male, who was trapped between the upper and ground floor, surrounded by masonry. The USAR team used hand tools and assisted by Ambulance Service ‘Hazard Area Response Teams’, got the casualty onto a stretcher and safely extricated them from the property.
The house was destroyed by the blast, with several other properties receiving severe damage. Fire crews were in attendance for approximately 24 hours, assisting other agencies with the investigation and making the buildings safe.
The cause of the blast is believed to have stemmed from internal gas installations.
|
LFRS station area: |
St Annes |
|
Date: |
23 December 2023 |
|
Time: |
02:35 |
Four fire engines from St Annes, South Shore, Lytham, and Blackpool were called to a road traffic collision on Heyhouses Lane. On arrival a McClaren supercar had crashed at speed and came to a halt against 2 houses. The car burst into flames, and fire spread to both houses. All occupants of the vehicle were out of the car on arrival of the fire service.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire with firefighting water jets. Three casualties were involved, 2 from the vehicle and one bystander, who was injured whilst assisting the occupants from the car. All casualties were handed over to the care of the ambulance service.
Fire crews were in attendance for approximately 3 hours, making the vehicle and buildings safe.
|
LFRS station area: |
Hyndburn |
|
Date: |
6 January 2024 |
|
Time: |
15:05 |
Fire engines from Hyndburn and Padiham, along with Urban Search and Rescue from Chorley and Bamber Bridge, were mobilised to a report of a person trapped following an industrial accident. The incident was on Moorfield Industrial Estate in Altham and involved a male trapped under a heavy goods vehicle, which had fallen on its side against another truck, during a lifting manoeuvre.
The incident was also attended by police, ambulance, and air ambulance. A brief time after arrival, the casualty was declared deceased, and an investigation was conducted between police and the Health and Safety Executive. USAR staff assisted with making the scene safe and body recovery once investigations had completed. USAR crews were on scene for approximately 7 hours.
|
LFRS station area: |
Blackpool |
|
Date: |
22 January 2024 |
|
Time: |
01:52 |
Three fire engines from Blackpool and Bispham were called to Whittaker Avenue, Blackpool, where it was believed people were trapped within a mid-terraced domestic property.
On arrival the ground floor of the property was on fire. Two adults had jumped from an upper floor and were on the ground with injuries caused by the fall. It became apparent that a baby and several dogs were still inside the property.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to rescue the casualty and extinguish the fire. One baby and 3 dogs were rescued from the house. The baby was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for treatment.
Firefighters were on scene for approximately 3 hours, damping down and conducting a fire investigation. The cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental.
None
Potential impact on local environment in relation to operational incidents. Significant incidents benefit from the attendance of specialist water towers (stingers) and the hazardous materials unit both of which have positive impacts on firefighting operations and reduce environmental impacts.
None
Data Protection (GDPR)
Will the proposal(s) involve the processing of personal data? No
If the answer is yes, please contact a member of the Democratic Services Team to assist with the appropriate exemption clause for confidential consideration under part 2 of the agenda.
None
None
None
Paper:
Date:
Contact:
Reason for inclusion in Part 2 if appropriate: Insert Exemption Clause