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Substation fire cuts the power of Scottish village Portpatrick

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Substation fire cuts the power of Scottish village Portpatrick South west Scotland village Portpatrick was left without power following a fire breaking at an electricity substation. Shortly after 12:00 on the 10th January, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called out to the incident, and arrived quickly. By the time late afternoon came, only around 90 properties in the area were left without power. An apology was issued to customers for any inconvenience caused, while the reason the incident took place was being thoroughly investigated as a result. Dumfries and Galloway Council also said that the community resilience team made the required checks on the elderly residents.

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Colossal fire at a scrap yard near Dublin Airport put under control before havoc ensues

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Colossal fire at a scrap yard near Dublin Airport put under control before havoc ensues Dublin Airport in the Republic of Ireland came in for a minor scare after a huge fire engulfed a recycling plant in very close proximity to it, however fire services got it under control before anything could happen. On the 10th January, Dublin Fire Brigade revealed that the blaze started in a shed at the recycling plant, located in Sandyhills, St Margaret’s, at around 09:00. The fire was extensive to the point that notably large plumes of smoke were seen rising over the plant, but thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries. Dublin Airport stated that the smoke didn’t impact any airport operations. The fire itself managed to spread to numerous vehicles outside the shed, leading fire officers to say that they had to adopt a “defensive stance” due to the danger of explosions from oxyacetylene cutting equipment and fuel tanks. Before the fire service proceeded, a drone was used in order to assess the situation. In total, eight firefighter units were deployed, while a foam tender from the Dublin Airport Fire Brigade also chipped in with assistance. A host of people who were working at the plant at the time of the blaze were safely evacuated, and there were no injuries reported from the fire.

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At least 13 dead following mudslides in south California region of Santa Barbara

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At least 13 dead following mudslides in south California region of Santa Barbara Homes have been swept from their foundations and at least 13 people have died after heavy rain sent both mud and boulders flying down hills that were stripped of vegetation by southern California’s recent wildfires on the 9th January. Due to blocked roads, rescue crews had to use helicopters in order to lift people to safety, while firefighters ploughed through waist-high mud to pull a 14-year-old girl covered in mud away from the ruins of a home in Montecito, north-west of Los Angeles, where she had been trapped for several hours. The girl was eventually taken away on a stretcher. The majority of the deaths are believed to have taken place in Montecito, a notably wealthy enclave that hosts several high profile celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey and Rob Lowe, according to David Villalobos, who is a Santa Barbara County spokesman. At least 25 people have been injured from the mudslides. Numerous houses have been destroyed in the wake of the mudslides, whole residents have been unaccounted for in the neighbourhoods that are have been made hard to reach due to downed trees and power lines, according to Villalobos. In some places, the mud was reportedly up to 5ft (1.5m) deep. In the dead of night, the mud was unleashed by flash flooding in the steep Santa Ynez Mountains, which have been left scarred by the recent fires. Burned-over zones are more suspect to destructive mudslides as scorched earth doesn’t absorb water well at all, while the land is also easily eroded when there are no shrubs.

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Space heaters account for 43 percent of U.S. home heating fires and 85 percent of associated deaths

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Space heaters account for 43 percent of U.S. home heating fires and 85 percent of associated deaths Keeping sufficiently warm during the winter months can prove challenging, particularly when frigid temperatures persist, as they have recently for much of the country. While portable space heaters can help generate heat, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is reminding the public that they do present potential fire hazards and must be used with caution. According to NFPA’s latest U.S. Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment report, which was released today, heating equipment is the second-leading cause of U.S. home fires and the third-leading cause of home fire deaths. More than half (53 percent) of all home heating fire deaths resulted from fires that began when heating equipment was too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding. Between 2011 and 2015, portable and stationary space heaters accounted for more than two of every five (43 percent) U.S. home heating fires and five out of six (85 percent) home heating fire deaths. “Space heaters can be effective tools for providing added warmth at home, but it’s critical that people follow basic precautions to ensure that they’re used safely,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of NFPA’s Outreach and Advocacy division. Carli says space heaters should be placed a minimum of three feet away from anything that can burn, and must be turned off when people leave the room or go to sleep. “Make sure children and pets are kept well away from space heaters at all times, and remember that space heaters should never be left unattended,” said Carli. “When you’re ready to go to sleep, it’s time to turn off your space heater.” December, January and February are the leading months for home heating fires. The peak time of day for home heating equipment fires is between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. (27 percent of fires), with another 20 percent occurring between 8:00 p.m. and midnight. The fewest fires occur between midnight and 8:00 a.m. (18 percent), but these fires caused almost half of the heating fire deaths. “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires,” an annual campaign run by NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), provides a wealth of information and resources to help reduce the risk of home fires during the heating season. Following are important home heating safety tips and recommendations: Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters. Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions. Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional. Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters. Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home. Install wood burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Install and maintain CO alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company. Never use your oven to heat your home. For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research and resources, please visit the NFPA press room.

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SICUR 2018 confirms its growth prospects

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SICUR 2018 confirms its growth prospects With just three months to go, the Trade Fair has recorded an overall increase of 12% with growth in all three sectors: Security, Fire and Emergency, and Occupational Safety Organised by IFEMA, SICUR 2018 will be held from 20 to 23 February 2018 at Feria de Madrid. SICUR 2018, the big international benchmark for the security sector, organised by IFEMA, which will take place from 20 to 23 February 2018 at Feria de Madrid, is getting ready for what will be one of its most complete editions, having already confirmed its initial growth prospects.   Three months before it kicks off, it has already recorded an overall increase of 12% in its three main areas: Security, Fire and Emergency, and Occupational Safety.  A promising edition which will again place SICUR in the international spotlight when it comes to the professional security industry in its broadest perspective.   Technological advancement offers a wide scope of action for this sector, which is constantly working on developing new equipment, solutions and services for prevention and protection. All of this will be on show at the four halls SICUR will be held in, which, as usual, will be divided into different sectors:  Security in hall 10; Fire and Emergency in hall 8, and Occupational Safety in halls 4 and 6.   All of the content will be complemented by a programme of conferences, debates and information sessions called FORO SICUR, which once again will have the participation of professionals and experts to examine the current situation of the sector, as well as exhibitions, demonstrations and the chance to try out products, giving SICUR a range of very dynamic activities. There will also be another instalment of the New Products Gallery which, like in every edition, will give an interesting look at the progress the industry is making and research it is working on.

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Bushfire rips through parts of South Australia, with New South Wales being put on high alert

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Bushfire rips through parts of South Australia, with New South Wales being put on high alert South Australia’s south-east region has been bulldozed by a bushfire which has seen a host of homes and other buildings be left destroyed, with New South Wales being left on high alert for any blazes, while the current threat in Victoria is easing.​ Conditions have improved recently, but despite that, an out-of-control blaze threatened several homes near Benalla in northern Victoria on the 7th January, with residents being told to leave immediately.  There was adegree of worry on the 7th as the grassfire causing issues was heading towards properties in Winton and Glenrowan West, after firefighters found themselves unable to prevent it from crossing Wattle Creek Road. However, shortly after that, their worries were eased after fire crews managed to get the blazed under control.  “Firefighters have been able to stop the spread of the fire. Staying close to shelter is the safest option, in case conditions change again suddenly. Continue to stay informed and monitor conditions,” the emergency update said. Prior to it being contained early on the 7th January, the Sherwood fire in South Australia had ploughed through 12,100 hectares of scrub and farmland, according to the Country Fire Service. “A number of homes and structures have been lost in the blaze, which started just after 1pm yesterday,” the CFS said. Nick Stanley, the duty commander, stated however that the damage assessement teams were still on the fire ground, and as such, were unable to fully determine the extent of both asset and stock losses. Thankfully there were no reports of any serious injuries, and police are investigating the cause of the fire.  “Yesterday’s Sherwood fire was a reminder of how quickly fire under severe to catastrophic weather conditions can get out of control,” Stanley said.  “Due to the severe weather conditions, firefighters on the ground had to work defensively to protect assets until the fire conditions were safe enough for them to begin offensive operations.”

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Paint factory fire in north London has nearly 100 firefighters battling for hours in order to restore normality

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Paint factory fire in north London has nearly 100 firefighters battling for hours in order to restore normality London was struck by a major fire once again after a paint factory in north London went up in flames, needing close to 100 firefighters to tackle it. Reports from eyewitnesses claimed that there were explosions and fireballs “shooting into the air” from the factory, which is located on Waterloo Road in Staples Corner. The London Fire Brigade confirmed that 15 fire engines were sent to the scene of the blaze, near the North Circular Road, and also stated that the workers of the factory were able to depart the site in a safe manner before the crews even arrived. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The crews themselves were called into action at around 21:20 on the 8th January, and it took firefighters a few hours to control the blaze, with this happening at around 00:22. People were urged to avoid the area completely, while those living in close proximity were told to keep their doors and windows shut, especially as the smoke and flames could be seen from miles away. Such was the extent of the fire, that the fire service revealed that their control room had taken 99 emergency calls in relation to it. The brigade said: “Firefighters worked tirelessly to stop the fire spreading. They will be at the scene throughout the night damping down pockets of fire.”

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Following conflict of interest furore, KPMG quits Grenfell Tower inquiry

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Following conflict of interest furore, KPMG quits Grenfell Tower inquiry Following a series of high profile concerns over their appointment, accountancy firm KPMG have quit their advisory role on the Grenfell inquiry. Campaigners had loudly voiced their beliefs that KPMG should be removed following the company failing to reveal a conflict of interest. KPMG are actually the auditor of three of the firms that are under major scrutiny by the inquiry into the tragic tower block blaze, which took the lives of 71 people on the 14th June 2017. Speaking on the issue, KPMG said that they had “mutually agreed with the inquiry that we will step down from our role with immediate effect”. The accountancy firm themselves audits the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which coincidentally, is where the tower is located. In addition, it also audits Rydon Construction, who refurbished the tower back in 2015, and Celotex, who came under fierce criticism as they manufactured the insulation material that was used inside Grenfell Tower. A host of high profile members of society such as two Labour MPs in Clive Lewis and Emma Dent-Coad, musician Lily Allen, and several academics and campaigners signed an open letter to Theresa May, all urging the prime minister to take action on KPMG’s appointment, citing that the appointment would “only further fuel rumours of a deliberate cover-up and erode public trust.” KPMG have since spoken out about their role on the inquiry, claiming that the position of project management advisor was “purely operational” and that they had absolutely no role advising “on the substance of the inquiry”. “Whilst we are confident that no conflicts exist between our role advising the inquiry and our work for other clients, we recognise that strength of opinion about our role risks undermining confidence in the inquiry,” a spokesperson added.

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Gigantic oil tanker at risk of possible explosion, while one body found following collision

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Gigantic oil tanker at risk of possible explosion, while one body found following collision An oil tanker that had previously collided with a freight ship off the east coast of China has a genuine risk of exploding according to Chinese authorities, as it is still on fire. ​ Early on the 8th January, the Shanghai Maritime Bureau said that both the vessel and the leaked cargo were burning at an extraordinary rate, and the fumes released from this were hampering any rescue efforts. Most worrying though, was the fact that many experts have stated a belief that there is a strong chance that the vessel could explode and sink.  On Saturday 6th January, 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshi citizens went missing from the SANCHI tanker – a Panama registered one, at that – and Lu Kang, who is a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, revealed bad news by declaring that one body had been found by search and rescue teams, though for now, their identity hasn’t been confirmed.  “The environment and the conditions on the ground are not very favourable for search and rescue work and some crew members are still missing,” Kang said. “We have also dispatched some cleaning vessels to the site to prevent any secondary disaster.” A 10-nautical-mile avoidance area around the SANCHI has been drawn up by the Shanghai Maritime Bureau. The collision itself took place around 160 nautical miles (184 statute miles) to the east of the mouth of the Yangtze River, at around 20:00 on the 6th January, as confirmed by the Ministry of Transport in a statement.  The SANCHI has a length of 900 feet (274 metres) and has displaced over 85,000 tonnes, meaning the vessel is almost the same size as the US Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, so says ship tracking site marinetraffic.com. In addition, the vessel is fairly new, as it only launched back in 2008.

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IDEX Corporation announces appointment of Mark A. Beck to board of directors

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IDEX Corporation announces appointment of Mark A. Beck to board of directors IDEX Corporation have announced the appointment of Mark A. Beck to the company’s Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2018. “We are thrilled to welcome Mark to our Board of Directors,” said IDEX Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Silvernail. “His experience as a chief executive officer of a public company with significant international operations and his track record of innovation and successfully integrating acquired businesses will be a tremendous asset to IDEX. Mark is a values-based, results-oriented leader, making him a great fit with our Board and management.” Beck has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (“JELD-WEN”), one of the world’s largest door and window manufacturers, since November 2015, and was appointed as a Director of JELD-WEN in May 2016. He joined JELD-WEN from Danaher Corporation, where he served as Executive Vice President, leading Danaher’s Water Quality and Dental platforms, beginning in April 2014. Previously, he spent 18 years with Corning Incorporated in a series of management positions with increasing responsibility, culminating in his appointment as Executive Vice President overseeing Corning’s Environmental Technologies and Life Science units in July 2012. He also served on the board of directors of Dow-Corning Corporation from 2010 to 2014. Beck holds a B.A. in Business Management from Pacific University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

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