Oswestry arson suspect arrested

West Mercia Police have reported that a 32-year-old Oswestry man has been arrested in connection with three arson attacks in the town that took place between 28 February and 6 March.

The man is in custody being interviewed about arson attacks on a derelict house in Middleton Road, the Zion Fitness Centre in Coney Green and a signal box at the Cambrian Railway Visitor Centre in Oswald Road.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Fri, 23/03/2012 - 08:05

Lose some sleep but save a life this weekend: When you change your clock, test your smoke alarm

The Fire Kills campaign is urging people to make a potentially life-saving move when they change their clocks on Sunday 25 March - by taking a moment to test their smoke alarm too.

Love it or loathe it, the twice-yearly clock change is a routine part of everyone's lives. Losing that extra hour's sleep on Sunday 25 March may not be appealing, but turning the clocks forward will already be on the 'to-do' list of nearly all UK households.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Wed, 21/03/2012 - 11:53

Fair funding for Shropshire

Shropshire must get fair funding from the Government to run its fire and rescue service, says Shropshire & Wrekin Fire Authority.

A campaign to lobby Ministers gained momentum as it was revealed that a small increase in Government grant could freeze the portion of council tax paid to fund Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Councillor Stuart West, chair of the Fire Authority, today appealed for people to write to their local MP to demand fair funding for the county fire brigade.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Wed, 14/03/2012 - 16:50

Catherton Common fires

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service are asking everyone to take extra care in the area of Catherton Common, Clee Hill after several fires were reported in the area in the last 3 days.

At 11.42am on Friday 9^th March crews from Cleobury Mortimer, Ludlow, Church Stretton, Kidderminster and Bewdley were called to 500m² of gorse on fire at Catherton Common.

At 11.52am on Sunday 11^th March crews from Cleobury Mortimer were called to 100m² of gorse on fire at Crumps Brook near Catherton Common.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Tue, 13/03/2012 - 08:31

Partnership urges motorists to ‘Belt up’

Some motorists can probably remember those memorable adverts; ‘clunk-click with every trip’ in the 1970’s encouraging people to wear their seatbelts. It has been the law for drivers and front seat passengers to wear their seat belts since 1983, with rear passenger under 14 being required to wear them by law since 1989 and adult rear passengers since 1991.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Thu, 08/03/2012 - 17:34

Government funds £1.8 million for new Fire Control for Shropshire

The Government has agreed to fully fund the £1.8 million needed to run a new “state of the art” control centre which has improved the speed of firefighter call outs in Shropshire, it was revealed today.

A jubilant Chief Fire Officer Paul Raymond today welcomed the funding boost.

“I am delighted that we have been awarded the full amount of funding that we bid for. We can now pay for the state of the art 999 system without further impact on the pockets of local tax payers.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 08:32

Police investigate Oswestry arson

Police today appealed for witnesses following an arson attack on an Oswestry fitness club.

A lighted newspaper was pushed through the letterbox of Zion Fitness in Coney Green between 8.30pm and 10.10pm Wednesday 29^th February 2012. It was discovered when an alarm sounded in the premises and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service attended.

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said today: "Fortunately, the newspaper smouldered on the doormat and burnt itself out within a few minutes. However, the consequences could have been much more serious if the fire had taken hold.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Thu, 01/03/2012 - 14:44

Local partnership enables valuable training opportunities

Development Firefighters from all parts of Shropshire recently received valuable practical training at a Bridgnorth factory as part of an ongoing partnership between Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and Bridgnorth Aluminium.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Wed, 29/02/2012 - 15:54

Fire authority agrees 5p per week increase in Council Tax

Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority has voted for a 5p per week rise in council tax after demands from the public not to cut front line services.

Five fire stations were in danger of closing with the Fire Authority forced to cut £4 million from its £21 million annual budget over the next four years. A 28 per cent reduction in Government grant and high inflation added to the financial problems.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Tue, 14/02/2012 - 12:13

National Chip Week

We will be holding a launch event on Wednesday 22^nd February from 10.00-16.00 at Oceans Fish and Chips, Sutton Hill, Telford this will be supported by the Outreach Vehicle and red watch will be attending with the Fire engine in the afternoon.

We will be supporting National chip week 20-26^th February 2012 with a poster and information campaign to promote safer cooking.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Fri, 10/02/2012 - 15:56

General