Partner Article

Blaze highlights need for fire safety in businesses

A local fire safety expert is encouraging local businesses to ensurethat their staff are well trained and well equipped in case of fire.

Darren Boddy of Tyne and Wear rescue service issued this advice at the reopening of the South Gosforth Fisheries in West Moor, which was forced to close three moths ago after it was severely damaged by fire.
The fire, in which noone was harmed, was one of several recent fires in takeaways in Tyne and Wear.

According to statistics, eight out often businesses which suffer a major incident such as a fire, never re-open or close within 18 months of the incident. Businessman Sid Appleby spoke of the large amount of
time and effort necessary to prepare for re-opening:

“My main concern now is that after being closed for three months that my customers will have gone elsewhere. I know the next couple of months are going to be difficult. I can really understand how some businesses never open their doors again.

“I want to use this opportunity to tell other people who work with deep fat fryers and oil filtering machines to regularly carry out staff training regarding their maintenance processes and to make sure they do fire safety drills. I cannot emphasis enough how important it is to maintain your equipment.”

Group Manager Darren Boddy, of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue service, said that the several recent fires in the area highlight the importance of fire safety information.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .