A SELECTION OF INCIDENTS ATTENDED BY WSF&RS; ON THURSDAY 21ST DECEMBER Sent Friday December 22 2006 10:31 by Sarah Lander WSFRS
Time 00:54-01:52
Location: POST BOX CHURCH LANE EASTERGATE NEAR CHICHESTER
Incident: Fire - post box contents damaged by fire - 1 Co2 extinguisher sed by F&RS; - incident left with police - WrL Arundel

Time 11:08-11:48
Location: GROUND FLOOR FLAT GARDINER ROAD FISHERSGATE NEAR SHOREHAM
Incident: Fire - On their arrival firefighters quickly made entry into the ground floor flat where they discovered a 98yr old lady collapsed in the kitchen after being overcome by smoke from an over heated chip pan.
The lady was rescued from the property by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and given oxygen by crews until an ambulance arrived. She was then taken to hospital for further treatment.
Crews then dealt with the fire in the chip pan and ventilated the property to clear the smoke.
With the assistance of the WSF&RS; community protection team a care link alarm has already been fitted, linking smoke detection in the property to a permanently staffed care link phone line to provide more protection to this vunerable person.2BA, 1HR, PPV fan by F&RS; - WrL Shoreham, WrLx2 Hove (ESF&RS;)

Time 16:18-17:00
Location: FLAT WILLOW COURT GRAND AVENUE WORTHING
Incident: Flooding - water entering ground floor flat from 1st floor flat - water isolated in road as F&RS; usable to access flat - WrL Worthing

Time 21:31-21:56
Location: M23 NORTHBOUND JUNCTION 9 GATWICK TO 8 MERSTHAM (SF&RS; GND)
Incident: RTC - 1 car in to ditch - no persons trapped - adult female in car assisted to safety by F&RS; using ladder to negotiate embankment - WrLx2 Horley, WrL Crawley, HRT Horsham

Time 23:46-00:56
Location:STANE STREET MAUDLIN - JUST PAST EVERYMAN GARAGE
Incident: Fire - 5 derelict cars destroyed by fire - 1 flat bed transit van damaged by fire - 4BA, 4HRS, 1 foam branch by F&RS; - arson - WrLx2 Chichester, FIO


WrL Water Tender Ladder
PPV Positive Pressure Ventilation Fan
HR Hose Reel
BA Breathing Apparatus
HRT Heavy Rescue Tender
FIO Fire Investigation Officer

MAN DIES FROM INJURIES FOLLOWING FLAT FIRE - SHOREHAM Sent Sunday December 10 2006 16:49 by
A 69-year-old man has died from his injuries after being rescued by firefighters from his burning flat in Shoreham on Saturday night (December 9th).

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called to a report of the fire alarm sounding at Cecil Norris House, Raven Road, Shoreham at 8:15pm. The alarm was raised by a Careline operator and a total of four fire engines were mobilised from Shoreham (2), Lancing and Worthing.

The man was rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus from a ground floor flat and was treated at the scene for burns before being taken to hospital via ambulance, and transferred to the Burns Unit at East Grinstead Hospital.

Unfortunately he died from his injuries the following day, Sunday 10th.

Six firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used a hosereel to restrict the fire to just one flat. A neighbour was led to safety, but was uninjured.

The premises are ?sheltered housing? operated by Adur District Council and fitted with smoke alarms linked to the Careline system. Fire investigators are trying to establish why the man did not leave the flat when the alarm sounded.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation but initial enquiries suggest it may have been started accidentally by a cigarette.

ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISION ? BIRDHAM Sent Sunday December 3 2006 19:54 by
Two people have been injured following a car crash in Birdham earlier today.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called to the Birdham Straight, Birdham at 11:30 hours today. It was confirmed that two adults, one male and one female were trapped in the vehicle as a result of a collision with a large tree that had fallen across the road.

Fire engines from East Wittering and Chichester were immediately sent to the scene and on arrival they found that the couple were severely trapped by the tree, which had penetrated the windscreen on impact and exited through the rear window of the car.

Firefighters had to stabilise the tree to prevent it from crushing the casualties and emergency service personnel. Whilst paramedics stabilised and treated the casualties, fire crews used acro props and manpower to hold the tree in place.

The roof of the vehicle was delicately removed using hydraulic cutting equipment, which allowed medical staff to work freely and safely.

Both casualties were freed within an hour and conveyed to hospital by ambulance.

Birdham Straight remained closed for some considerable time.

A doctor and the Sussex Police air ambulance helicopter also attended the scene.

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EIGHT TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER HOUSE FIRE - LANCING Sent Saturday November 11 2006 9:25 by
Eight people suffering the effects of smoke inhalation have been taken to hospital following a fire at a house in Lancing this morning.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service received calls to the terraced house in Brook Way, Lancing at 7:45am, and mobilised three fire engines from Lancing (2) and Shoreham. Smoke was coming from a first floor window and it was reported that people were still inside.

All the occupants were outside when fire crews arrived but there was a severe fire in a first floor bedroom. The fire was extinguished with a high-pressure hosereel by two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus but there was extensive smoke damage throughout.

An investigation is continuing to find out how the fire started but children playing with matches has not been ruled out.

There was a smoke detector on the ground floor, but none on the first floor where the fire started. This meant anyone sleeping on the first floor wouldn't have got any warning before the first floor became smoke logged, and could have left them trapped.

Several of the occupants had blackened faces and a total of eight people were taken to hospital by ambulance suffering smoke inhalation.

WEST SUSSEX FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE - ARUNDEL UPDATE Sent Tuesday October 31 2006 16:38 by
'Arundel Fire Station is ready to respond to any emergency', that?s the clear message from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service following last weeks fire.

Plans for a recovery operation began almost as soon as the fire was discovered, and the station was operational again by 5pm the same day.

Emergency fire cover for the Arundel area was maintained even as the blaze was being fought, with fire engines being brought in from neighbouring stations.

A reserve fire engine to replace the one destroyed by the fire was on scene just 5 hours after the fire started, along with replacement fire tunics, leggings and helmets for the firefighters.

Temporary buildings have now been constructed to house the fire engine, along with office and storage facilities, and the station is fully operational.

"We are used to dealing with disasters," said Area Commander Neil Odin, "but this has been an extremely unusual situation even for us.

"I think most people who saw the devastation last week will have been surprised at how quick we have been able to restore our normal level of service.

"We have had fantastic support from all our staff, suppliers, contractors and the local community and we really can't thank them enough. It's down to their efforts that we have been able to recover as quickly as we have.

"A permanent replacement for the fire station will be built as soon as possible but we want to reassure the local community that there has been no gap in the service provided, proven by the fact that Arundel firefighters have already been out on a number of emergency calls"

ARUNDEL FIRE STATION NEWS UPDATE: Sent Thursday October 26 2006 12:19 by
Following the fire at Arundel Fire Station on Wednesday 25/10/06, West Sussex Fire & Rescue have quickly recovered and fire crews from Arundel were available very shortly after the fire was brought under control.

The Station will need major work to bring it back on line, in the meantime arrangements are being made to put temporary buildings in place so that the staff can continue to provide their first class service to the community of West Sussex.


Neil Odin - District Commander South

FIRE STATION BLAZE - ARUNDEL Sent Wednesday October 25 2006 17:36 by
An investigation is currently being carried out into the cause of a blaze, which has destroyed a community fire station in West Sussex earlier today.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service received a 999 call from an ambulance paramedic at 10:48hrs this morning, reporting smoke issuing from the fire engine bay at Arundel fire station in Ford Road, Arundel.

Crews from Littlehampton fire station were sent to the scene and on arrival were faced with a severe fire involving the appliance bay and a fire engine. The blaze was rapidly spreading to other parts of the premises very quickly which prompted fire crews to request further fire engines from the surrounding area.

At the height of the incident, more than 50 firefighters were on the scene tackling the blaze. The fire has caused severe damage to the fire station and investigations are currently on going as to the cause, however the fire is not being treated as suspicious. Strong indications are pointing to the possibility of an electrical fault within the fire engine bay area.

Firefighters used two jets, two hose reels, two hydrants and 12 breathing apparatus to bring the fire under control.

Emergency measures are currently being undertaken to ensure that fire cover is maintained in the Arundel area, which will involve a fire engine being temporarily situated within Arundel, crewed by the existing retained duty firefighters.

Crews attended from Littlehampton, East Preston, Worthing, Bognor Regis, Chichester, Shoreham and Horsham.

ENDS:

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BOY BADLY BURNT IN LIGHTER ACCIDENT - CRAWLEY Sent Saturday October 14 2006 22:18 by
Please keep cigarette lighters and matches away from your children is the warning from firefighters after a 10-yr old boy suffered serious burns to his upper body in an accident at home in Crawley tonight, Saturday 14th October.

Fire crews were called to a house in Heathfield, Crawley shortly before 8pm when the boy was injured playing with a refillable lighter and lighter fluid. His parents had put him in a cold shower to initially treat his injuries before he was taken to hospital by paramedics.

"It must have been a dreadful scenario for his parents" said West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Gary Towson, "but they did the right thing by immersing him water.

"If kids appear to have a fascination with fire we would urge their parents or carers to contact us and discuss our F.A.C.E (Fire Awareness and Community Education) scheme which is aimed at trying to prevent this type of tragic accident.

"We have a team of trained volunteers who meet with kids and discuss the reasons behind this interest in fire, the dangers and the possible consequences. It?s free and non judgmental, and the kids are not 'branded' by putting them put on any risk register, all we want to do is prevent this awful type of accident happening to any other parent."

To discuss the F.A.C.E. scheme please contact West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service on .

HOUSE FIRE ? ANGMERING Sent Thursday September 14 2006 20:35 by
Firefighters are again issuing warnings over the dangers of not having smoke alarms installed in homes following a blaze earlier today in Angmering.

At 15:52hrs today 14/09/06 West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called to a report of a first floor bedroom fire in Fletcher Way, Angmering. Two fire engines from East Preston fire station were immediately sent to the scene.

The East Preston fire crews were very quickly on the scene and were faced with a severe and fast developing fire involving a first floor bedroom at the rear of the house. It was quickly established that all of the occupiers had left the building safely.

Due to the severity of the blaze, further fire engines from Arundel, Worthing and Shoreham were also sent to the scene.

The swift actions of the firefighters resulted in the fire being confined to the first floor bedroom.

Two crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels to extinguish the fire within thirty minutes. Unfortunately the rest of the first floor was severely damaged by heat and smoke.

The occupiers of the house, two adults and three children were downstairs whilst the fire was taking a hold. One of the adult occupiers smelt smoke and went upstairs to investigate. Neighbours also banged on the door, as they had also noticed smoke issuing from the back window.

It would appear that the fire was started as a result of a young child playing with smoking materials upstairs.

A male adult suffered minor smoke inhalation and was treated by ambulance paramedics on the scene.

Incident Commander Jon Mays from East Preston fire station said:" We are urging parents with young children to ensure that smoking materials such as matches and lighters are kept well out of the reach of children. It is crucial to be aware that children can start a fire in moments - but only if they can get hold of materials that can start a fire.

?The house didn?t have a working smoke alarm and the occupiers were extremely lucky to have discovered the fire when they did. A smoke alarm would have given an earlier warning; the fire would have been discovered sooner, which might have prevented this fire causing as much damage as it did.?

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Service has a Fire Awareness & Community Education Scheme (FACE) and parents who have concerns about their children playing with fire can speak to an advisor confidentially by calling 24hrs.

Free home fire safety checks that may include the fitting of a free smoke alarm are available by calling free phone or you can book on line at www.westsussex.gov.uk

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service advice:

* Ensure that you have a correctly fitted and working smoke alarm fitted on all floors of your property.

* Ensure that you test the smoke alarm at least once a week by pressing the test button.

* Replace the battery each year unless it is a ten year smoke alarm.

* Make a plan of escape should a fire occur in your home and ensure that your family know what to do in a fire situation.

GET OUT - STAY OUT - GET THE FIRE SERVICE OUT

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BOGNOR REGIS FIRE HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO TEST SMOKE ALARMS Sent Tuesday September 5 2006 10:27 by
Bognor Regis firefighters are issuing a warning over the importance of regularly testing all of your smoke alarms following a kitchen fire where a faulty alarm failed to operate.

Fire engines from Bognor Regis and Littlehampton were sent to Moraunt Drive in Middleton following a 999 call reporting a fire in the kitchen.

A faulty smoke alarm on the ground floor of the property failed to activate however a second alarm fitted on the first floor did operate raising the alarm.

The female occupant of the house was able to deal with the small fire and it was out by the time firefighters arrived.

Watch Commander JimMackay from Bognor Regis fire station said: ? In this case one of the smoke alarms did go off which certainly prevented further damage to the property.

?This comes amidst a National TV advertising campaign, PUSH THE BUTTON NOT YOU LUCK, highlighting the importance of having smoke alarms fitted and regularly testing them by pushing the test button.

?Ideally you should fit one on each level of your home. If you have more than one smoke alarm in your home it is vital that you test all of them and give them a monthly clean by vacuuming the inside of the case to remove dust particles. ?

Free home fire safety checks are available by calling , this can include the fitting of a free smoke alarm should your home need one. Alternatively you can visit www.westsussex.gov.uk to book one on-line.

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SMOKE ALARM SAVES ELDERLY CRAWLEY MAN Sent Tuesday August 29 2006 16:10 by
A smoke alarm has helped save the life of a male in his 80?s after he collapsed at his home in Broadfield, Crawley on Monday night.

The man had fallen over whilst cooking and was unable to get up or raise the alarm. Fortunately, his smoke alarm alerted neighbours as the flat began to fill with smoke. A Careline operator who had been alerted by the smoke alarm activating called the fire service and an ambulance who arrived within minutes.

The neighbours were able to turn the cooker off to prevent the fire developing, and the man was given oxygen by the fire fighters before being taken to hospital by paramedics. Fire crews used PPV (positive pressure ventilation) fans to filter smoke from the property.

This incident coincides with the launch of a new nationwide smoke alarm campaign ?Push The Button Not Your Luck? which urges people to regularly check their smoke alarms are working.

Incident Commander Tony Rose said, "This incident is proof of how life-saving smoke alarms can be. If the alarm hadn?t worked this gentleman may have laid there helpless breathing in potentially lethal amounts of smoke.

"We?d urge everyone to make sure their smoke alarms are fitted and in full working order. We also want to encourage people to think of other family members, in particular any elderly relatives, as they are some of the most vulnerable in our community should a fire break out."

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service offers a free home fire safety check. For more information call free phone .

BB

SEVERE HOUSE FIRE - BOGNOR Sent Thursday July 20 2006 0:26 by
40 firefighters tackled a fire that destroyed the first floor of a detached house in Bognor tonight leaving a family homeless.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called to the house in Kilwich Close, Middleton shortly after 9pm and mobilised fire engines from Bognor and Littlehampton.

They arrived to find flames shooting from windows on two sides of the house and a large plume of smoke rising into the sky. Pumps were increased to six as it was reported people might still have been inside although it later emerged that no-one was in the house at the time.

A crew from Littlehampton tackled the fire from the rear of the property as a breathing apparatus team from the Bognor crew forced open the front door and began a search for the people believed missing. The ceilings were starting to collapse as they made their way up the stairs to the main seat of the fire and burning debris from above was deliberately brought down using water jets to allow them to continue searching.

Every room on the first floor was involved in the fire but they were systematically searched and the fire brought under control to confirm there were no casualties. In all a total of 10 breathing apparatus wearers, 2 jets and 2 hosereels were used.

Mick Potter was in charge of the first fire engine to arrive and said the fire had already fully involved the first floor and was venting from the windows. "It?s been the hottest day of the year so people naturally have doors and windows open to try and keep cool, but that has probably contributed to the fire spreading so quickly.

"There was a tremendous amount of heat and smoke coming from the first floor so our first concern was to make sure the house was empty and then save whatever we could. The BA wearers working inside described it as extremely hot with zero visibility but they still got stuck in and knocked the fire down pretty quickly. We?re just thankful that on this occasion the house was empty."

A Fire Emergency Support (FES) vehicle based at Littlehampton Fire Station and staffed by Red Cross volunteers was mobilised to the scene to help with temporary welfare arrangements for the occupiers. The FES unit works with the fire service and helps families affected by fire to start recovering by organising temporary accommodation or contacting insurance companies etc.

The exact cause of the fire is unknown but preliminary investigations suggest it started in the front bedroom. A Fire Investigation Officer will be working at the scene tonight, and returning in the morning.

MAN RESCUED FROM QUARRY Sent Saturday July 8 2006 2:08 by
A man has been rescued by firefighters after he became stuck in deep mud and water at a quarry near Storrington.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called to a report of a man stuck in mud at the bottom of a disused sand quarry at The Hollow in Washington at 20:40hrs yesterday 07/07/06.

The man was trapped up to his waist and was unable to move or free himself due to the suction from the mud.

On arrival, firefighters from Storrington quickly donned life jackets and secured him using rescue lines. The man was released about an hour later after firefighters using hand shovels and a mud lance managed to pull him free uninjured.

It is believed that the man had been trapped for some time before his friend who was with him actually alerted the emergency services.

Station Manager Brian Holden said: ? The man was extremely lucky, fortunately the man had his friend with him and he was able to call the emergency services who were quickly on the scene. Had he been alone there would have been no way he could have freed himself.

We urge people to stay well away from prohibited areas especially quarry sites. These sites are incredibly dangerous.?

Additional support was requested from the newly formed Technical Rescue Unit based at Horley fire station.

Two fire engines and a four-wheel drive vehicle from Storrington attended the scene.

The man was conveyed to hospital by the South East Coast Ambulance Service as a precautionary measure.



Notes to Editors:


A mud lance is a specialist tool which is used to inject water or air into mud or unstable ground to assist in the rescue and release of persons or animals trapped in this type of environment.

The technical rescue unit is equipped to deal with large-scale emergencies such as heavy rescue, accidents from road and rail to structural collapses.

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FIRE - HURST ROAD HASSOCKS Sent Friday June 30 2006 18:09 by Sarah Lander WSFRS
Fifty Seven Fire Fighters from both East and West Fire & Rescue Services have attended a fire in Hurst Road Hassocks involving a domestic garage and the roof of the attached chalet bungalow.
The first 999 call was received at 1429hrs to a domestic garage fire and 2 fire engines were sent to the scene from Keymer and Hurstpierpoint.
Due to further calls received indicating that the attached chalet bungalow was also alight, further fire engines and other specialist units were sent to the scene.
A total of 32 Breathing Apparatus and 6HRS were used.
All persons were accounted for and unconfirmed reports that 1 dog was deceased were happily wrong as the dog was found safe and well.

The cause of the fire is believed to have been caused by stored rags soaked in teak oil in the garage, that due to the hot weather conditions over heated and spontaneously ignited.

Appliances came from Keymer,Hurstpierpoint, Burgess Hill, Henfield, Shoreham, Hove (ESF&RS;),Brighton (ESF&RS;), Partridge Green, Haywards Heath and Uckfield totalling 57 fire fighters

For a Free Home Fire Safety Check in West Sussex call .

MAN HELPED FROM BURNING FLAT - RUDGWICK Sent Saturday June 17 2006 12:52 by
A man had to be helped from his home by neighbours after they spotted smoke coming from the windows of his burning flat in Rudgwick. The flat had no working smoke alarm and the fire is believed to have been started accidentally by smoking materials.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service mobilised three fire engines from Horsham, Billingshurst, and Cranleigh (Surrey FRS) when they were called to the first floor flat in Tates Way, Rudgwick shortly after 9:30pm on Friday 16th June.

Neighbour Paul Williams had raised the alarm when he spotted smoke issuing from the windows and went to investigate. On the first floor landing he met the occupier coming out of his flat but suffering the effects of smoke inhalation and helped him down the stairs and out to fresh air. Two elderly neighbours on the ground floor had also been helped out of their flat before the fire crews arrived.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus managed to contain the fire to the lounge, hall and kitchen using 2 hosereels, but the rest of the property was damaged by heat and smoke. The occupier was treated at the scene by paramedics from Sussex Ambulance Service but did not need to go to hospital.

A Fire Investigation Officer attended to find out how the fire started but at this time it is believed a carelessly discarded cigarette or match is the most likely cause.

Incident Commander Kieran Smith praised the neighbours but said a working smoke alarm would probably have detected the fire earlier and the flat may not have been as badly damaged.

"Although the damage to the flat is extensive, the occupier has been lucky only to have suffered smoke inhalation. The neighbours were great in getting everyone out and helping afterwards, but every home should have a working smoke alarm. The fire service can fit them for you as part of free Home Fire Safety Check so there?s really no excuse."

For a free Home Fire Safety Check in West Sussex call .

MAN RESCUED FROM FLAT FIRE - BOGNOR Sent Thursday June 8 2006 17:57 by
One man was taken to hospital after being rescued by firefighters in Bognor when a fire broke out in his kitchen earlier today.

Three fire engines were sent to the flat in Bersted Green Court, Bognor at 2:58pm.

The fire had been detected by a smoke alarm but the man had remained inside, and neighbours who spotted smoke coming from the windows called West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.

The man, believed to be in his 50?s, was led to safety and given oxygen before being taken to hospital by paramedics. The fire was restricted to the kitchen and is believed to have started accidentally when cooking.

Community Fire Safety Officer Roger Wood said it again highlighted the need for a working smoke alarm but said the fire service would be working with Social and Caring Services to find out why the man hadn?t been able to leave.

"Thankfully we were called by neighbours but if people are unable to make their own escape on hearing the alarm, we need to consider additional protection for them.

"Where necessary we can install a ?Firelink? system that sends an automatic signal to the fire service when a smoke alarm sounds, saving vital seconds and avoiding any delay in us being called."

ELDERLY LADY IN FLAT FIRE - WORTHING Sent Friday June 2 2006 11:23 by Sarah Lander WSFRS
An elderly female has been taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation after being rescued from her burning 1st floor flat by a neighbour who was alerted by her smoke alarm.The fire started when the 77 year old lady who is a wheelchair user,fell asleep whilst smoking.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service were called to a fire alarm sounding at Clifton Court Clifton Road Worthing at 23:06 last night (1/6) and mobilised 3 fire engines from Worthing
They arrived to find residents evacuating the three-storey building after hearing the fire alarm sounding.
Firefighters were faced with severe smokelogging to the 1st floor of the flats run by Worthing Homes
The fire was extinguished with one hose reel but the flat was damaged throughout by smoke. The fire itself was fairly small but had produced large quantities of toxic smoke.

Incident Commander Mark Upperton said " This fire could have had far more serious consequences, because smoke kills so quickly,the speedy actions of the neighbour,who was alerted by the smoke alarm, undoubtedly saved this lady's life "

The lady was taken to hospital by ambulance and her male rescuer was treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics

More people die in fires caused by smoking than in fires with any other single cause ,because tobacco is designed to stay alight, cigarettes can easily start an accidental fire.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service offer free home fire safety checks and smoke alarm fitting. To arrange yours call , or visit the West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service pages at www.westsussex.gov.uk and fill in a application form online

FLAT FIRE ? SOUTHWICK ? SMOKE ALARM WARNING! Sent Wednesday May 24 2006 3:13 by
A flat in Southwick has been badly damaged following a blaze, which has again prompted firefighters to issue a warning on the dangers of not having a working smoke alarm fitted in your home.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called to the property in Highdown, Southwick at 23:12hrs last night (23/05/06) after receiving calls stating that flames could be seen from the first floor window.

Four fire engines from Shoreham and Hove were immediately sent to the scene as it was thought that the occupier was still in the property, however following a search by fire crews wearing breathing apparatus it was quickly established that nobody was in the building.

Due to the swift actions of the firefighters, the blaze was confined to the first floor bedroom. Two crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels to extinguish the fire. Unfortunately the rest of the first floor was severely damaged by smoke.

Upon investigation it was discovered that the flat did have a smoke alarm fitted, however the battery had for some reason been removed. West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is urging people to ensure that they have a correctly fitted and working smoke alarm, preferably one on each level of your home. Batteries should never be removed unless they are being replaced with a new one. Fortunately in this case the occupier was out at the time of the fire. Had the occupier been at home the situation could have resulted in loss of life.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service are offering free home fire safety checks throughout the County that includes the FREE fitting of a smoke alarm. For more information please call FREEPHONE or book your Home Fire Safety Check on-line by visiting www.westsussex,gov.uk

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ELDERLY LADY KILLED IN HOUSE FIRE - HASLEMERE Sent Sunday April 2 2006 21:00 by
An elderly lady has died in a house fire near Haslemere.

Firefighters were called to the house in Linchmere Rd, in the Hammer parish of Haslemere at 3:20pm today (2nd April) when a neighbour heard a smoke alarm sounding and saw smoke coming from a ground floor window.

The house is in West Sussex but very close to the borders of both Surrey and Hampshire, and the three nearest fire engines ordered were from all three counties; Haslemere, Liphook and Midhurst.

The first crew to arrive was from Haslemere and Watch Manager Tony Root explained the lady was found quickly but unfortunately there was nothing they could do to save her.

"We sent teams of breathing apparatus wearers in with hose reels to search the house but they were unable to open the door to the room where the fire started because of an obstruction. They quickly managed to force their way in the room by climbing through the ground floor window and the lady occupier was found laying on the floor."

The fire was extinguished with hose reels and was contained to just one room. A cat was found inside the house and given oxygen but also died.

Fire Investigation Officers and Police are working to try and find out exactly what caused the fire. A post mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death, but at this time it is not thought to be suspicious.

ELECTRIC BLANKET CAUSES BEDROOM FIRE - BOGNOR Sent Sunday March 19 2006 9:00 by
Firefighters say a family of three had a lucky escape when a fire started by an electric blanket badly damaged a bedroom. The house had no working smoke alarm.

Two fire engines from Bognor were ordered to the house in Elmer Rd, Middleton at 4am on Sunday 19th March. Two firefigfhters wearing breathing apparatus were able to put out the fire with one high-pressure hose reel.

Incident Commander Jerry Beard said they would have had an earlier warning if they had a smoke alarm and advised people not to leave electric blankets on overnight.

"If a fire breaks out when you are asleep and you don?t have a working smoke alarm you are lucky to wake up at all. In this case the fire went undetected for some time and we could have ended up with a triple fatality. Firefighters fitted a smoke alarm before they left.

"We?d also warn against leaving electric blankets on overnight, and urge people to make sure they are well maintained and tested regularly. Further advice is available on our website www.westssussex.gov.uk

"West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service offers free Home Fire Safety Checks, which can include free smoke alarm fitting where necessary. Please call "

MAN BURNT TACKLING CHIP PAN FIRE ? LITTLEHAMPTON Sent Saturday January 21 2006 20:25 by
Firefighters are repeating their warning not to move burning chip pans after a man suffered burns to his legs and arms when tackling a late-night chip pan fire in Littlehampton. The fire could have been discovered earlier but a battery in the smoke alarm had been disconnected, rendering it useless.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called to a second floor flat above shops in Wick Parade at 4:02am on Saturday 21st January and mobilised two fire engines from Littlehampton Fire Station.

They arrived to find the injured man and a woman outside, but fire burning in the entrance hall. A hose reel was hauled up to tackle the fire as the man was given first aid and oxygen. Fire had also badly damaged the kitchen and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished both seats of fire before venting the flat of smoke.

It is believed the man tried to carry the burning pan from the kitchen but dropped it near the front door causing the hot oil to burn his feet, legs and hands, and causing a second fire at the front door.

The man and woman, both believed to be in their forties and also suffering the effects of smoke inhalation, were taken to hospital by ambulance.

Incident Commander Trevor Worsfold said no-one should attempt to move a burning chip pan and that the danger from the unattended pan might have been discovered before it burst into flames, had the battery in the smoke alarm been connected.

"As the oil in a chip pan gets hotter it gives off smoke before bursting into flames and a working smoke alarm would have given an early warning, allowing the occupier to simply turn off the cooker and allow the oil to cool down.

"In this case it wasn?t discovered until too late. Tackling a blazing chip pan can be very scary, especially if you?ve never been trained, but despite all the warnings people are still being killed or injured by fires involving chip pans. For your own safety please follow our advice"

?If your chip pan catches fire, do not move the pan.
?Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so but never lean over the pan to reach the cooker controls.
?Drop a damp tea cloth or towel over the pan to smother the flames.
?Never throw water onto the fire.
?Leave the pan to cool down for at least 30 minutes. If you cannot control the fire yourself, leave the room, close the door and telephone the Fire Service by dialling 999.

This latest fire again highlights the dangers of chip pan fires and comes in advance of a safety campaign to be launched during National Chip Week from February 13th-19th.

TEA LIGHT CANDLES START HOUSE FIRE - CRAWLEY Sent Friday December 9 2005 12:57 by
Firefighters are again warning of the dangers from using tea light candles without a proper holder after fire badly damaged a terraced house in Crawley.

Tea light candles had been left unattended on top of a television set whilst the female occupier was visiting a neighbour. The heat from the candle caused it to melt into the television, starting a fire that destroyed the bedroom and caused extensive smoke and heat damage throughout the rest of the house.

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was called to the three-storey town house in Epsom Road, Furnace Green, Crawley at 7:40pm on Wednesday 7th December. They arrived to find smoke pouring out of windows and neighbours saying that people could still be inside.

The house was full of thick black smoke and crews wearing breathing apparatus began a search for possible casualties. Further crews tried to contain the fire, which they discovered to be in a ground floor bedroom at the rear of the house. To gain better access to the back of the property they had to lay hose through an adjoining house and force a hole in the garden fence.

After a thorough search it was established that the house had been empty at the time of the blaze although a woman, believed to be in her twenties, was later taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation after she returned to the house and discovered the fire.

A total of twenty firefighters attended from Crawley & Horley. A Fire Investigation Officer later confirmed that the fire had been started accidentally by the tea light candles left on top of the television.

Incident Commander Graham Lincoln warned that the tea light candles were a particular fire hazard because people were genuinely unaware of the dangers.

?People wrongly assume that because they come in a flat metal base they are suitable for leaving direct on any surface, but they cannot be used safely without putting them in a purpose-built holder.

?There have been several fires in West Sussex recently that have started this way, and so far it has been just good fortune that no one has died. But in the UK at least two people each year are dying in house fires started by tea light candles. We therefore fear it is only a matter of time before that happens in West Sussex unless we can raise awareness of the dangers from using them.

?We have previously warned of the dangers from tea light candles on television, radio and in newspapers but people are still putting themselves at risk by using them incorrectly. The candles have become an increasingly popular lifestyle accessory, but if you are going to use them please follow our simple advice?

* Always use them in a proper holder
* Never leave them unattended
* Extinguish them before you go to sleep
* Keep them well away from furnishings or loose clothing

A downloadable video and photos showing how tea light candles can start a fire if left on a television is available on the fire service website and links are attached to this News Bulletin.
www.westsussex.gov.uk

Tealight Image 1
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Tealight Video-Windows Media 1.34Mb
Tealight Video-Realplayer file 2.05Mb
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