LFRS IN ELIZABETH HOUSE, LEICESTER OFFERING ADVICE AFTER FATAL FIRE
On Sunday 27 August, we can confirm that a resident sadly died, as a result of a fire in a flat in Elizabeth House. This was our first fire fatality this year (Reporting year 1 April 2017 – 31 March 2018). Crews from Central, Eastern, Southern, Birstall and Hinckley Fire and Rescue Stations attended the incident, however despite rescuing the occupant, they were unable to prevent the tragic loss of the resident who was later pronounced deceased in hospital.
As part of our post-incident response procedures, we will be setting up a drop-in centre in the lobby entrance of Elizabeth House, and visiting every flat in the tower block, to provide reassurance and advice on home fire safety in order to prevent any future similar tragedies happening.
It’s essential that everyone stays safe from fire in their properties. High-rise buildings are designed specifically to keep you safe from fire. The structure of Elizabeth House prevented this fire from spreading further than the one flat it originated in. However, we would like to encourage all residents in the tower block to familiarise themselves with what to do in the event of a fire, but more importantly, how they can prevent fires happening in the first place.
Our drop-in centre will be set up in the lobby of Elizabeth House on:
Thursday 31 August between 09:00hrs and 13:00hrs.
In addition to this, our firefighters and community safety educators will visit each flat on the day.
Elizabeth House is located on Waterloo Way, LE2 0QE.
We will notify all residents in advance of our arrival via door-to-door flyers and posters in the lobby.
In the meantime, a wide range of tips on how to keep you and your flat safe from fire are available on Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s website which can be found by visiting https://leics-fire.gov.uk/your-safety/at-home/safety-in-high-rise-and-rented-accommodation/.
Notes to editors: Interviews can be arranged with prior arrangement via Corporate Communications.
About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.
The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire related incidents have reduced by 46 percent.
During 2015/16, the Service attended 666 road traffic collisions, of which 174 were extrications freeing 208 people trapped inside their vehicles and completed 5086 home fire safety checks, fitting almost 4481 smoke alarms. Staff organised or supported almost 1431 events aimed at promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, whilst also visiting 332 schools to deliver fire and road safety education to pupils.
Contact:
Libby Wales
Corporate Communications Assistant
0116 229 2195
libby.wales@lfrs.org
