CAUTION URGED AFTER DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY FIRE
Written by author on April 30, 2014
The careless disposal of smoking materials is suspected to have caused at a farm building in Dumfries and Galloway on Wednesday afternoon (23 April).
A 999 call made to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Operations Control in Dumfries reported the incident at a site in Whithorn around 2:15pm.
With the fire located within one of four interconnected buildings SFRS immediately sent three fire engines to the scene, mobilising one crew from Whithorn Fire Station and two from Newton Stewart.
Crew Manager Forsyth Galloway, the incident commander, said: “When we arrived a fire had started within a canteen bin and filled the room with smoke.
“Two firefighters entered the room wearing breathing apparatus and quickly put out the fire using a single hosereel jet.
“This confined the fire to the area immediately around the bin and also meant the smoke damage was limited to the canteen, but this incident is a clear warning of how easily smoking materials can cause serious fires.
“A cigarette-end can smoulder for hours before starting a fire that quickly spreads throughout a property, causing massive damage and threatening lives.
“Our message to anyone who smokes is to recognise the risk and always make sure cigarettes, matches and other materials are properly extinguished before they are discarded.”
As the most common cause of fires where someone loses their life SFRS is clear everyone needs to understand the danger smoking materials pose and take action to protect themselves and those around them.
Last year firefighters across Scotland attended more than 350 house fires started by smoking materials and crews know that a moment’s carelessness can have tragic consequences.
The advice to anyone who smokes is never leave a lit cigarette unattended, always make sure materials are fully extinguished before being thrown out, and keep them well away from children.
People should never smoke in bed and anyone who feels tired or drowsy should avoid smoking in a chair as falling asleep could start a deadly fire.
Early warning is crucial if a fire does start and the presence of working smoke alarms on every floor of a property will give people vital time to get to safety.
Scotland’s firefighters routinely visit members of the public in their homes to share expert advice and help residents take the simple steps known to prevent fire and the deaths, injuries and damage it causes.
To join Scotland’s fight against fire and register for a free home fire safety visit call 0800 0731 999, text ‘check’ to 61611, fill out a form at www.firescotland.gov.uk or contact your local fire station.
