We have had an “We Told You So” weekend here at FCCL.
It is with great sadness we have to report the death of an elderly
lady in Beeston, South Leeds. Joyce Williams who was in her 80s was involved in a house fire
in Westbourne Place.
The incident which took place around midnight
on Saturday brings yet again one simple fact to the fore. A smoke alarm is only
of use if people hear and respond to it. And in this case as detailed in the
Yorkshire Evening Post HERE the neighbours ignored the alarm (even though they smelt
smoke) only when their windows started to heat up did they go outside and
realise there was a fire in the house next door.
This is the second time since we started this blog that
this has been the case. In Bradford Mr Brears died when an alarm was disregarded by neighbours. For more information on this incident please click HERE
Sadly by the time the fire fighters arrived at the fire in Beeston, Leeds on Saturday night (incidentally from Morley and Hunslet stations)
it is thought the fire in the back to back house had been alight for several hours. For more information on back to back houses please click HERE
We are not in a position to comment on how those neighbours
must be feeling at the moment, we can only imagine but we would like to point out several hard facts:-
Both Morley and Hunslet stations were to be closed if the fire authority, had it not been challenged by FCCL, the FBU and many others.
Response times would increase regardless of
what the figures say – just ask a fire fighter at Morley or Hunslet (but for
heaven sake be discreet as we have known sadly of people being victimised and harassed
for supporting our cause). We sadly will have to blog about this victimisation shortly as it involves a member of the FCCL team.
A fire with persons involved requires the attendance of
three pumps - which at present is adequately
covered by Morley and Hunslet............ BUT after the cuts are
implemented........ Hunslet is to lose a pump and Morley is to be day crewed
(which we have talked about HERE). So at night, Morley firefighters
will have to get to the fire station first, which will add at least 5 mins
to a response time, then cant leave
without a qualified driver and crew manager – so if there is a delay, bad
weather, accident – What happens then?
Well, we know the answer – people will die!
However - there was a house fire over the weekend that resulted in some good news.
In the early hours of Sunday morning crews from Gipton and Stanks attended a house fire in Ramshead Gardens, Seacroft. The incident feed from WYFRS read like this
House fire, ground floor of house involved, crews have used 1 hose reel and 4 breathing apparatus, 2 male adults, 2 female adults and 1 female child all suffered smoke inhalation and were transported to hospital by ambulance
But we know that it was the families Staffordshire Bull Terrier who saved the day, the dogs bark woke the family up and they were able to alert the fire service. Sadly we haven't been able to ascertain the dogs colour or age but we send it a virtual pat on the back from all of us here at FCCL.
Of course we also send a pat on the back to the fire fighters at Gipton and Stanks (because at least one or probably two of us here at FCCL consider them our favourite fire stations) - and yes we know we shouldn't really have favourites!!!!! but we do.
So the question is
do you install a smoke alarm
or do you buy a dog ?
If you decide one, other or both is the correct answer please click on the following links
For a free home fire safety check from WYFRS
please click HERE
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| Miss Phoebe Four Paws |
And if you really think a mans best friend is his dog - why not contact the Dogs Trust HERE, we are not suggesting you replace a smoke alarm with a dog but you could try a spot of volunteering or a donation to a very worthy cause.
