Fire service news and announcements

[SteveH]

⚠️Watch out for scam emails claiming to sell health products
 
Links in these e-mails will lead to malicious websites that aim to steal your personal and financial information.

✅If you receive an email you believe to be suspicious, forward it to: report@phishing.gov.uk

Your reports will help to get scams and malicious websites removed.

#NWPCyberSafe

   

[SteveH]

Dave Hughes, head of fire safety and west area, says: "Every year we are called to countless false alarms and controlled burns which have spread.

"We are urging all landowners undertaking controlled burning to notify us by calling our control room on 01931 522 006.

This will help avoid false alarms and crews being sent out unnecessarily as well as ensuring we are ready to respond in the event of a burn getting out of control.

More information is available on North Wales Fire and Rescue Service?s website.

[SteveH]

A FIRE was sparked by a dishwasher in Craig Y Don.

North Wales Fire and Rescue service were called to a flat in the area at 7.16am today (February 23).
Residents were evacuted from the property.

A spokesperson from the fire service said: "The fire was confined to a dishwasher.

"Two crews attended and used two sets of breathing apparatus and a hose reel jet and vented the property."

For further information about white goods safety, click here......

White Goods Safety ......... https://www.northwalesfire.gov.wales/keeping-you-safe/at-home/looking-after-the-electrics/white-goods-safety/

[SteveH]

EMERGENCY services were called out to accidental flat fires in both Rhyl and Colwyn Bay yesterday afternoon (March 13).

The first was on Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay, which North Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to at 4.05pm.
A service spokesperson said that this was thought to be electrical, involving an extension cable.

The second was on Princes Street, Rhyl, which was reported to the fire service shortly before 7.50pm.
A service spokesperson said that the fire was out upon their arrival at the property, adding: items had been left on the hob top

Information about looking after the electrical appliances in your home can be found at Fire and Rescue Service?s website.   https://www.northwalesfire.gov.wales/


Also Cost of Living - Stay Fire Safe
All Fire and Rescue Services in Wales and Public Health Wales are urging people to take simple steps to protect themselves from accidental fires and carbon monoxide poisoning as they look to keep warm and cut energy use this winter.
https://www.northwalesfire.gov.wales/cost-of-living-tips-to-stay-fire-safe/

[SteveH]

Report from 26th May......

Images show scale of Llandudno mountain blaze that firefighters have battled for 15 hours     
The fire on Cwm Mountain, near the seaside resort broke out last night and is ongoing

Fire crews are continuing to battle a mountain blaze this morning, on Cwm Mountain near Llandudno which broke out last night. The initial call to the fire service came at 7.37pm.

Five fire engines - from Caernarfon, Llandudno, Conwy, Abergele and Denbigh - were still battling the blaze at 10.45am today, after residents were told to close their doors and windows due to smoke. About 300sq meters of gorse was estimated to be on fire.

A message from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service earlier this morning said: "Firefighters are currently dealing with a fire on Cwm Mountain #Llandudno, Conwy, which is causing smoke in the area. Residents are advised to close windows and doors whilst we deal with this incident."

Another message form the fire service later said: "We are still in attendance at the fire on Cwm Mountain #Llandudno, affecting 300 square metres of gorse.

photos https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/images-show-scale-llandudno-mountain-26997000?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Emergency services face another fire on Cwm Mountain near Llandudno

The fire took place yesterday evening, with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service issuing an update shortly before 8pm that there was "smoke in the area".

They also advised residents to close their windows and doors while the incident took place.

It followed a bigger blaze on May 26, when up to 300 square metres of gorse was affected.

A North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Firefighters are currently dealing with a fire on Cwm Mountain, Llandudno, Conwy, which is causing smoke in the area.

[SteveH]

Makes you think.........................

A freak house fire, which wrecked the upstairs, was sparked by a mirror inside a wardrobe reflecting the sun. It broke out on Mold Road, Wrexham, last night, close to Wrexham AFC's Racecourse Ground, at about 5.30pm.

Thankfully nobody was hurt in the bizarre incident, but such was the damage to the property, the occupants had to be rehoused, the fire service said. Three engines were at the scene to tackle the blaze, which was extinguished by 7.10pm. An investigation after established the strange cause.

According to the fire service it caused major fire damage to bedroom and some damage to the first floor, which was also smoke logged. The loft also received some fire damage.

[SteveH]

North Wales firefighter cuts could put lives at risk - union

Plans to cut the number of fire stations and firefighters in north Wales could put lives at risk, according to a union.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it could reduce cover in some areas to help respond to emergency calls faster in rural locations.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said managers need to look how to improve response times without making cuts.

The fire service said it will meet with union leaders to discuss the concerns.

In recent years, the service has had problems having enough staff on call in rural areas, where firefighters often work other jobs.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-66926756

[SteveH]

Update

North Wales firefighters threaten strikes amid revamp plans

Firefighters in north Wales have threatened to go on strike over plans to overhaul the fire service.

More than 100 demonstrators protested against the plans in Wrexham on Saturday.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the revamp would lead to a worse service in towns and cities.

North Wales Fire Service said it would meet union leaders to discuss their concerns and alternative proposals.

In recent years, the service has struggled with on-call staffing in rural areas, where firefighters often work other jobs.

It wants to put full-time firefighters on duty during the day in Corwen, Dolgellau and Porthmadog - but managers say this means they will have to save money elsewhere.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-66972111

[SteveH]

A senior fire officer has said some response times will be affected by Wales' new 20mph speed limit.

Assistant chief fire officer Stuart Millington said that while fire engines can exceed the speed limit, private vehicles driven by on-call staff could not.

Those using their own cars to get to stations during a call-out would be impacted, he said.

And as a result firefighters' attempts to attend a blaze could be delayed.

The claim came during a meeting on Monday with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Conwy council.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67081799

[SteveH]

Gwynedd, Anglesey and Conwy fire stations to stay open after U-turn

"People in Conwy, Cerrigydrudion and beyond were horrified at the thought of losing their local fire stations, and objected strongly to the huge loss of 74 front line posts.

?Should we ever need the fire service, we would all want them to be able to get there as quickly as possible.

?The drastic cuts that were being suggested would have put lives at risk, and I think people saw that.?

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23858636.gwynedd-anglesey-conwy-fire-stations-stay-open-u-turn/

[SteveH]

A reminder for the future..........

Man loses two fingers after picking up unexploded firework
He was cleaning up after a display when the device detonated in his hand, setting fire to his clothes

A man has lost two fingers and suffered burns to his torso after a firework exploded in his hand. The man was cleaning up after a firework display when he picked up the device and it detonated, melting his clothes to his body.

Karli Dyce, who is related to the injured man, said he was using equipment to pick the objects up but his litter picker was not big enough to grasp the firework - so he picked it up with his hand - causing it to explode.

He remains in hospital and that he will need additional surgery. She added: "He's been told he'll need multiple surgeries. He's not in a good headspace at the moment. The severity of the incident is really sinking in. This will cause a significant impact on his life. He could never work again."

cont https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/man-loses-two-fingers-after-28047864?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The cause of a fire, which led to the tragic death of an elderly man was confirmed today by fire chiefs. A man in his 80s was found dead in the bedroom of his home on Marston Drive in Rhos on Sea, last week.

The North Wales Fire & Rescue Service today identified the source of the blaze as a microwaveable wheat bag. They are now appealing to neighbours to "look after each other this Christmas" in the wake of the tragedy.

The fire service was called to the property on Marston Drive at 8.34am on Wednesday December 6 by North Wales Police after they received a report regarding concern for the safety of a man. Police officers confirmed there were signs of fire at the properly and discovered the man, believed to be in his 80s, in a bedroom.

?The cause of the fire appears to be a microwaveable wheat bag which had been placed under the bedclothes on the gentleman?s bed. Microwavable Wheat Bags are often used to provide heat to painful areas on the body and often have an aromatic smell.

"What we have to remember is that a product that absorbs and stores heat in this way is a potential fire risk if not used properly. If a wheat bag is insulated after heating ? for example under bedclothes, it may ignite.?

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/microwaveable-wheat-bag-caused-fatal-28289422?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

One taken to hospital after candle sparks fire in Rhos-on-Sea house
The blaze broke out after the candle was left unattended

A person was taken to hospital after a fire sparked by a candle in Rhos-on-Sea, in Conwy, last night (Saturday). It happened shortly before 9.40pm.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent two engines from Colwyn Bay to the scene on Wainwright Close. The fire was out on arrival but it caused smoke damage to the property.

A fire service spokesperson said: "The cause of the fire was a candle left unattended. A person was taken to hospital for treatment."

PS
Two engines were sent to a house fire in Whitford, Flintshire, shortly before 12.50am. It involved logs, caused by heat from a nearby log burner. There were no injuries. The lounge was smoke-logged following the incident.

Do not stack wood close to your wood burner to dry out, it happened to me years ago, fortunately I was in the room when it started to smoke.

[SteveH]

Six fires in two days in North Wales - and all for the same reason
As temperatures fall, fire crews are seeing a spate of chimney fires

Fire crews had a busy week attending incidents across North Wales, all caused by the same reason. With temperatures plunging, they had six call-outs for chimney fires in three counties.

With the winter's first real cold snap underway, and the prospect of worse to come, North Wales Fire & Rescue Service (NWFRS) urged people not to get caught out. "We?re encouraging everyone to only burn dry/seasoned wood ? and to get their chimneys cleaned and checked at the earliest opportunity

cont... https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/six-fires-two-days-north-28409557?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589


A point to note from previous experience .................
Not having your chimney swept can sometimes invalidate your home insurance in case of a fire. The recommendations are as follows: Once a year- Chimneys with solid fuel appliances, smokeless fuels, gas or oil appliances. Twice a year- domestic, bituminous coal.

Cont https://firesafechimneysweep.co.uk/faq/#:~:text=Not%20having%20your%20chimney%20swept,a%20year%2D%20domestic%2C%20bituminous%20coal