14 die in German workshop fire
Fourteen people have been killed after a huge blaze broke out at a workshop for disabled people in south-western Germany.
The fire occurred at the centre run by the Caritas charity in the town of Titisee-Neustadt.
It is not yet known what caused the fire but local media has reported that there may have been an explosion at the workshop.
Mayor of Titisee-Neustadt said: “It is devastating – we now have to find out how it happened”
Alexander Widmaier from the local fire department said that crews were at the scene within six minutes but on arrival the building was already in flames and filled with smoke.
A spokesman for the local police force said: “We can tell you that we have 14 dead. The process of identification is on-going,” and that it would “take days” to establish what caused the fire.
Eight others were injured in the fire but all are in a stable condition.
100 firefighters tackle huge fire at Midlands distillery
Over 100 firefighters have been tackling a huge fire at the Alcohols Ltd distillery in Langley Green.
The fire broke out at around 10.00am on 27th November. Nearby homes have been evacuated due to thick smoke and the risk of explosions and one man has been taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham suffering from burns.
West Midlands Fire Service confirmed that fire crews from across the West Midlands would remain at the scene overnight. The fire has destroyed most of the 3 storey building.
Sandwell Council confirmed that it was using Moat Farm Junior School as a refuge for the people who had been forced to evacuate their homes.
Eye witness, Kerry Hawkins, said: “I heard the explosions and saw thick black smoke in the air and the next thing we know we had police officers knocking on our door. We’ve been out since about half past nine this morning and don’t know when we’re going to be allowed back.”
Chief Inspector Ian Marsh said: “People are starting to return from work and school and we need anyone trying to either head home, or pass through the affected area, to be aware that they need to make alternative plans.”
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said a man in his 20s had been treated at the scene for burns to his back and a hand before being taken to the specialist burns unit at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Another witness, Tony Kirkham, said: “We saw a Land Rover parked opposite the factory go up in flames, there was nothing we could do to stop it. You could also see the window frames melting in people’s houses. It was scary.”
The Environment Agency also attended the incident to check on the environmental impact of the fire.
Man dies in Brighton house fire
A man has died after a fire tore through a disused building in Brighton.
Around 40 firefighters attended the incident at a building in Upper Bedford Street in Kemp Town at around 3.45am on 28th November.
A spokesperson confirmed that a 48 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson.
A spokesperson for East Sussex Fire and Rescue said: “We’re working with police to investigate. Some crew still remain at the scene.”
It is not yet known how the fire was started.
Former Barnsley Working Men’s club destroyed in fire
South Yorkshire firefighters were called to a large fire at a disused working men’s club in Barnsley on 13th November.
Crews spent about six hours at the disused club on Farm Road, Kendray, Barnsley, after the blaze was reported at 12.30am. Within 30 minutes of crews arriving, around 50% of the building had collapsed.
Due to the serious structural problems of the building, crews had to tackle the flames from outside the building using combined aerial rescue pump and jets on the ground.
Firefighters from Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Tankersley, Cudworth and Dearne attended the incident.
Crew manager Gavin Jones from Barnsley Fire Station, said: “When we pulled up we could barely see in front of us, or where the club even was, because there was so much thick smoke. Because there were no reports of people trapped or the possibility of people inside we did not enter the building – it was too unsafe. Within half an hour half of it had collapsed.”
The cause of the fire is not yet known and an investigation will now be carried out.
Mother and children escape arson attack at home in Croydon
A mother and her child were rescued by fire crews after petrol was poured through the letterbox of their home and set alight on 11th November.
Firefighters rescued the woman and child from the first floor of the building in Grove Road, Thornton Heath, during the blaze which began at around 10.15pm. Two other children managed to escape from the house before firefighters arrived.
All were treated by paramedics at the scene for smoke inhalation and were then taken to Croydon University Hospital.
A neighbour who witnessed the incident said: “They threw the can around the corner into the garden. Luckily they smelled petrol and were able to call the fire brigade immediately.”
Nigel Baker, Norbury Watch Manager said: “Firefighters worked hard to get both mother and child out quickly. The house was really smoky, and the crews did very well in challenging conditions. It’s very fortunate that no one was more seriously injured.”
Another witness, Ann Hawthorne said: “I heard a lot of noise and saw the fire engines outside the house and a ladder going to the upper floor. Somebody was up there, a fireman who was helping them.”
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the London Fire Brigade and the Met but arson is suspected.