12 March 2009

Firefighters are reminding businesses of the importance of siting skips and other refuse containers well away from buildings following a fire in Denham last night.

A crew from Gerrards Cross Fire Station was called to HSS Hire in Oakside, off Oxford Road, at 10.50pm. A commercial bin containing carpet just a few feet away from the building was well alight. It is believed it was set on fire deliberately.

Watch Manager Andy Maloney said: “Although we were quickly able to bring it under control, a skip fire that close to a building can easily spread to the building itself. Fortunately the only damage in this case was to some of the guttering.”

Terry Ridgley, head of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s community safety team, said: “Although this incident did not escalate, we take all fires very seriously.

“Most deliberate fires affecting businesses start outside the premises. The culprits are often young vandals whose motive is to cause trouble. They are opportunists who light their fires with anything readily to hand, including rubbish, packaging and waste in open skips.

“Three-quarters of businesses that suffer a serious fire do not recover at all and go out of business, resulting in significant job losses which in turn affect local communities and neighbouring businesses. Arson attacks on businesses also pose a major risk of injury or death, not only to staff but also to attending fire crews."

Terry said that ideally skips and other refuse containers should be stored as far as possible away from business premises – preferably eight metres - and well away from fire exits.

When full, they should be removed without delay. Where possible, mark out an area to locate skips safely.

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service has recently worked with West Midlands Arson Task Force to produce a guidance document to help businesses eliminate the possibility of harm through fire.

It is called Keeping Your Business In Business and you can download it from here.