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Student Safety

Safety reminder to students after two fires at Southampton Solent University halls of residence...

17 Feb 2010

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the first fire at Emily Davis student accommodation, Fitzhugh Street, Southampton at 1713hrs on Saturday 13 February 2010. Crews from St Mary’s, Hightown, and Redbridge fire stations were mobilised to the scene.

Firefighters extinguished a small fire in a ground floor kitchen using 2 breathing apparatus and 1 hose reel before clearing the smoke from the premises with a positive pressure ventilation fan.

Control operators received another call for assistance to a second more serious fire at the same halls of residence at  2235hrs. Three fire appliances and the Special Equipment Unit from St Mary’s Fire Station were mobilised, along with a fire appliance and the Aerial Ladder Platform from Redbridge, and the fire appliance from Hightown. A total of 24 firefighters and 3 officers were in attendance.

On arrival, crews found thick smoke billowing from the 1st floor of the building. Although an evacuation had taken place 8 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were deployed to do a search of each of the 6 floors whilst 2 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus immediately dealt with the fire.

There was a significant fire and a student room measuring 15m x 15m was on the first floor was 100% damaged by fire. Firefighters tackled the blaze using 12 breathing apparatus, 2 jets, and 2 hose reels. Crews also used a thermal imaging camera to ensure there were no further hot spots and cleared smoke from the building using both forced and natural ventilation.

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Group Manager Dan Tasker said

“It was great that the evacuation of the halls of residence was so quick and the procedures were followed. I would like to take the opportunity to praise the actions of the initial crews who attended this incident.  Crew Manager Steve Evans and firefighters from St Mary’s Fire Station rapidly extinguished the fire whilst remaining crews forced entry into every flat within 15 minutes to ascertain that all were empty “

Due to the two incidents occurring during the same evening a joint investigation with Hampshire Constabulary took place to rule out suspicious circumstances. The cause of fire was established as being accidental.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service advises that students are one of the most at risk groups of having a fire. There are many reasons for this, from late night cooking, or smoking after a night out at the union, to leaving the odd candle burning unattended.

You’d be surprised just how many fires are caused by red-faced students who have been out for the night, come home, put something under the grill and promptly fallen asleep. The lucky ones have working smoke alarms or a neighbour to thank for waking them up. But for others, there isn’t such a happy ending.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service advises students that if you’ve had a drink, please don’t cook - why not buy a kebab or some chips?! Even stone cold sober, people who put food on to cook and then leave the kitchen, end up making 999 calls to us almost everyday of the week. So remember, never leave your cooking unattended and keep your grill pans clean from fat build-up.

If you would like to know more about any aspects of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service - from fire safety and community events to animal rescue and careers in the fire service why not take a look around our website, or you can find us on Facebook, visit our YouTube channel, or follow us on Twitter.

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