All posts tagged: Fire News

Police and fire crews rush to attempted ‘firebomb attack’ at Kenton United Synagogue | UK | News

Police and fire crews rush to attempted ‘firebomb attack’ at Kenton United Synagogue | UK | News

Police officers patrol at a cordon near to an incident at the Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow (Image: Jamie Lashmar/PA Wire) Another attempted arson attack has taken place at a north-west London synagogue, which was reportedly “firebombed,” amid a series of similar incidents. The incident at Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow on Saturday night caused minor smoke damage to an internal room but no injuries or significant structural damage, the Community Security Trust said. The building is close to a school and children’s playground, and police were seen searching a black SUV nearby on Sunday morning. A large cordon is in place and a forensics officer, fire investigation dogs and several plainclothes officers were working at the scene. One marked and about five unmarked police cars were outside the place of worship. Smoke damage has been caused to an internal room (Image: Jamie Lashmar/PA Wire) A spokesperson for the charity said: “We are aware of another attempted arson, this time targeting a synagogue in north London, following similar recent incidents targeting the Jewish community in …

Man drank beer and watched after ‘setting house fire’ that killed four | World | News

Man drank beer and watched after ‘setting house fire’ that killed four | World | News

A man accused of setting a house fire that killed four people – including a three-year-old girl – allegedly sat nearby drinking beer as he watched the deadly blaze unfold. Roman Almatitla, 38, has been charged with arson, murder and assault after the inferno ripped through a three-storey apartment building in Flushing, New York, in March. Prosecutors claim Almatitla had just lost his job and wanted an outlet for his anger. They also said he had “no particular reason” to be at the three-storey building that day. According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, he entered the building several times before heading to a gas station across the road, where he allegedly bought one beer, stole another and asked the cashier to borrow a lighter. When he was told he could not have one, prosecutors said he “settled for a packet of matches”. Almatitla allegedly returned to the property, followed a woman inside when she opened the door and lit a piece of paper before dropping it into a bin near the exit leading to …

Glasgow Central station update after blaze forces travel hub to shut | UK | News

Glasgow Central station update after blaze forces travel hub to shut | UK | News

The main part of Glasgow Central station will remain closed until at least Wednesday, authorities have said, as work began to demolish an adjacent building ravaged by a fire. Glasgow City Council said it is in the interests of public safety to demolish what remains of the “very unstable” Victorian building, which has continued to collapse since the fire started on Sunday afternoon. The fire began in a vape shop on Union Street and spread through the building and around the corner, with only the facade of the building at the junction with Gordon Street left standing. On Friday, demolition vehicles arrived at the site and began the slow process of demolishing the building. The blaze on Sunday forced neighbouring Glasgow Central, Scotland’s busiest railway station, to close. Network Rail Scotland said that with demolition work under way, its engineers cannot yet gain access to the station to assess the situation, and the main part of the station containing the high-level platforms will therefore remain shut until at least Wednesday (March 18). Services in the …

Horror Glasgow fire update as historic building hit by ‘further collapses’ | UK | News

Horror Glasgow fire update as historic building hit by ‘further collapses’ | UK | News

The damage has raised serious safety concerns, and Network Rail says it cannot begin repair or reopening plans until the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Glasgow City Council finish assessing the site. Their inspections will determine whether the building is stable enough for crews to enter and what work will be required to make the station safe again. Glasgow City Council said that what is left of the Victorian structure is “seriously compromised”. Raymond Barlow, head of building standards in the city, said: “Since the early part of the fire in Union Street, and as part of the wider programme of assistance to the fire service, my staff have been on site trying to view the building and view the damage. As everyone will realise, there was a catastrophic collapse during the height of the fire, with the front facade coming down. “Since then, working with fire service colleagues, we have seen there have been further collapses in the intervening period, the most recent of which was the southern gable of the remaining structure. …

More than 70 firefighters called to blaze engulfing Southall church | UK | News

More than 70 firefighters called to blaze engulfing Southall church | UK | News

Hordes of firefighters rushed into West London on Sunday evening after a blaze broke out at a church.More than 10 fire engines and 70 officers raced into tackle the flames burning through the building in South Road, Southall. It is not yet clear where the fire began, but the blaze has burned through much of the ground and second floor, setting the roof alight. Two of the London Fire Brigade’s 32-metre aerial ladders are at the scene as they try to bring the flames under control. A spokesperson for the force added: “Control Officers took the first of over 20 calls at 2130 and mobilised crews from Southall, Ealing, Heston and surrounding fire stations to the scene. The cause of the fire is not yet known. “Please avoid the area while the incident is ongoing.” In videos posted on social media, fire engines can be seen backed up along the street as firefighters race towards the scene. Flames can be seen bursting out of the roof, lighting up the area around it. In the video, …

Fleet of firefighters tackle huge blaze at abandoned cinema | UK | News

Fleet of firefighters tackle huge blaze at abandoned cinema | UK | News

As the operation enters its evening phase, here is a summary of the situation at the former Odeon: The Incident: A significant fire broke out at the abandoned Odeon cinema in St George’s Place shortly after 2pm on Saturday. The Scale: At the height of the incident, 15 fire engines, two height vehicles, and the Volunteer Response Team were on-site. Public Safety: Authorities are maintaining a strict warning for locals to keep windows and doors closed. Smoke continues to be an issue despite the fire being brought under control. Travel: St George’s Place and portions of the city’s ring road remain heavily congested or closed. Drivers are urged to avoid the area. Casualties: There are currently no reported injuries. Source link

Mercure hotel in Haydock evacuated as firefighters rush to tackle blaze | UK | News

Mercure hotel in Haydock evacuated as firefighters rush to tackle blaze | UK | News

A hotel in Merseyside has been evacuated as firefighters rushed to tackle a fire on Saturday evening. Emergency services were called to the Mercure in Haydock at 7.25pm to reports of fire in one of the rooms. Footage from the scene captured the moment the premises was evacuated as fire engines parked up outside. Three fire engines arrived within four minutes, and an eyewitness said police also attended. A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said a fire was discovered on the first floor and extinguished at 7.46pm.  The building was evacuated and everyone accounted for. Firefighters checked neighbouring rooms, which were confirmed to be clear, and surveyed the building before guests were allowed back into their rooms. They left the scene at 8.22pm. *** Ensure our latest news headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings. *** Source link

Horror in Spain as British woman’s body found outside burning house – husband trapped | World | News

Horror in Spain as British woman’s body found outside burning house – husband trapped | World | News

Spanish authorities have launched an investigation after a 66-year-old British woman was found dead outside a burning farmhouse in rural Almeria, as her husband screamed for help inside. Emergency services were alerted to the blaze in Antas at 8.25am local time and firefighters were quickly dispatched to the scene. However, upon arrival, they found a woman who police have confirmed is a Brit, already dead outside opposite the farmhouse, while her husband shouted for help from a balcony fitted with bars. Authorities were able to rescue him by removing the balcony’s railings with a crowbar. The man, 76, was treated for smoke inhalation. Firefighters revealed that the woman’s death was not directly related to smoke inhalation and her injuries were inconsistent with the typical effects of fire, according to The Olive Press. Also at the scene were the couple’s son and his girlfriend. It remains unclear whether they escaped from the blaze or arrived at the house later.  Antas Mayor Pedro Ridao said the City Council is awaiting the autopsy results and the Civil Guard’s …

Blackpool fire horror as huge blaze ‘completely destroys’ building on Waterloo Road | UK | News

Blackpool fire horror as huge blaze ‘completely destroys’ building on Waterloo Road | UK | News

A building was left “in bits” and “completely destroyed” after a huge fire in Blackpool in the early hours of Saturday morning.  Firefighters rushed to the scene after receiving the first call at around 11.30pm on Friday, with as many as 15 crews helping to tackle the blaze. Lancashire Fire Service confirmed  the flames had broken out at a commercial building, with the owner of Smart Mart, a local second-hand shop, posting on Facebook to see that the blaze broke out within his building. In a video on Facebook, the owner says: “It was Smart Mart that was on fire and the gaff’s in bits.” Smart Play Blackpool also issued a statement saying “the building and play area have been completely destroyed”. Numerous other properties were also evacuated, with locals told to keep their doors and windows closed while the building is brought under control. Postin on social media in the aftermath, Smart Play Blackpool said: “We are absolutely devastated to share that there has been a fire at the play area. “At this time, …

Panic as 83 people evacuated from 5-star hotel in Savoie | World | News

Panic as 83 people evacuated from 5-star hotel in Savoie | World | News

A fire at a 5-star hotel has prompted the evacuation of 83 people, as officials have urged to “avoid the area”. More than 60 firefighters and 42 vehicles attended to the blaze on Tuesday evening at the Courchevel ski resort in Savoie as it spread across the roof, according to news outlet Le Dauphiné Libéré.  Firefighters said there is a risk that it could spread to nearby buildings. The fire broke out before 7pm at the Grandes Alpes Hotel, with management confirming that everyone in the building was accounted for and given alternative accommodation. The cause of the blaze remains unknown. The prefect of Savoie wrote on X: “A fire is currently underway on the roof of the Grandes Alpes hotel in Courchevel 1850. Firefighters are currently intervening.” The official added: “Please avoid the area and facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles.” Lieutenant-Colonel Emmanuel Viaud of the Savoie Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS) told AFP: “There are no casualties at this time.”  He said that firefighters are struggling to control the blaze as thick …