Memorial motorbike ride benefits two charities

A charity motorcycle ride to the Welsh coast has raised £2,200 in memory of a young Shropshire firefighter who died in the Isle of Man last year.

A total of 150 motorbike riders set off from Pontesbury to Aberystwyth on the Mat Evans Memorial Motorcycle Ride in July in a celebration of his life.

They set off from the Plough Garage in Pontesbury, where Mat worked, and after the round trip returned to the Plough Inn at Pontesbury for a BBQ and live music.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Mon, 14/11/2011 - 12:44

Empty commercial property fires Telford

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and West Mercia police are concerned over the growing number of arson attacks on empty commercial buildings.

Derek Taylor the arson reduction officer said “Since 27th October 2011 there have been four Arson attacks on empty commercial properties in the Oakengates, St Georges, Donnington and Dawley areas of Telford”.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Fri, 11/11/2011 - 14:21

I should have had a smoke alarm – Shropshire pensioner

A Shropshire pensioner has rued the day she didn’t have a smoke alarm fitted in her century old family home after it was seriously damaged by fire.

Retired schoolteacher Margaret Leverett (63) surveyed the black and smoke damaged house where she was born and has lived all her life and said: “Getting a smoke alarm was on my list but I just never got around to it. I urge others to put it to the top of their shopping list.”

Submitted by web-services-officer on Thu, 10/11/2011 - 16:26

Worrying trend in business fire safety

Shropshire businesses are being warned to check their fire safety after fire officers identified a “worrying trend” among some firms which are putting lives at risk.

Fast food outlets with accommodation above are especially at risk.

Many business owners do not have integrated fire alarm systems fitted because they wrongly believe them to be too expensive, said Watch Manager Martin Huckle, Rural Fire Safety Supervisor for Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Fri, 04/11/2011 - 10:48

Bin and rubbish fires in Telford

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service were called out to 3 incidents within 45 minutes last night on the Brookside area of Telford.

The first call was at 7.35pm to a report of a wheelie bin on fire on The Skate Park in Beaconsfield. A second call was received at 6.13pm of another wheelie bin fire in Bishopdale, a third call was received at 6.18pm to a report of bushes on fire in Blakemore. Crews from Tweedale Wellington and Telford Central attended the calls.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Thu, 03/11/2011 - 10:47

Lifesaving fire safety advice

Householders who are elderly or vulnerable through ill health must be given the chance to get important and potentially lifesaving fire safety advice, warned Shropshire’s fire prevention chief.

John Das Gupta is urging family, friends and neighbours to contact the community fire safety department at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service to get help for their relatives and friends.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Tue, 01/11/2011 - 14:49

Sprinkler system saves production

A fire sprinkler system saved a leading Shropshire firm from any potential production problems after fire broke out in the building.

Fire officers have praised the Telford company for its fire safety procedures in having an essential sprinkler system installed which led to a disruption free incident.

The blaze broke out on a Saturday morning in a compressor after staff had left for the day, said a company spokesman.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Fri, 28/10/2011 - 10:03

Drivers urged to take care as darker nights draw in

The Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia are today reminding road users to take extra care on the roads as the clocks change this weekend.

As nights get darker it is increasingly more difficult for motorists to see other road users. Pedestrians are being encouraged to think about their presence on the roads and wear high visibility clothing and reflective material and to always use pedestrian crossings where possible. Cyclists should also think about their clothing and ensure their bike is in good working condition and carries front and rear lights.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Mon, 24/10/2011 - 15:04

A clean sweep

Don’t forget to get your chimney swept before the cold weather begins – that is the message to Shropshire householders to avert a blaze this Winter.

Shropshire firefighters attended 189 chimney fires in the county in 2010/11 and statistics show this could increase again this year unless home owners take action.

Chimney fires have shot up over the past two years as people search for cheaper fuel to heat their homes after huge hikes in gas and electricity prices.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Mon, 17/10/2011 - 16:20

Fire safety advice at the shops

Fire safety advice will be on the shopping list for visitors to two Shropshire supermarkets in Telford and Shrewsbury all next week.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service has linked up with Sainsbury’s stores in the Telford Retail Park and at Shrewsbury’s Meole Brace to get important lifesaving tips to shoppers.

It is all part of the national shopping chains fire safety week running all this week from October 9 to 15, held for the second year running after last year’s successful event.

Submitted by web-services-officer on Mon, 10/10/2011 - 08:55

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