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As part of our commitment to drive down deaths and injuries caused by fire and also fires in buildings Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service launched a new initiative on 1 October 2009 to raise the issues specifically relating to thatch properties, improve preventative measures, and reduce the number of these devastating incidents.
There are approximately 600 thatched properties within the New Forest. Between 2008-2009 Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has attended nine thatched fires across the county.
Each incident has a major impact on the thatch householder, the community, and the Service. We recognise that many of these incidents could have easily been prevented if simple precautionary measures were taken.
A Thatch Information Pack has been produced, outlining the precautions householders can take to prevent a fire and instructions on actions to be taken in the unlikely event that a fire does occur. These packs have been sent out to every known thatched property in the New Forest but if householders do not receive one in the next week or so they can contact their local fire station or Community Safety at Service Headquarters on 02380 644000 to request a pack.
Station Manager Ben Smith says,’ Thatch fires, by their very nature, are extremely difficult to tackle. Very often the result to the householder is devastating in material and financial loss, disruption to their lives and emotional upset. Through this campaign and the information packs we have developed we aim to prevent thatch fires from occurring in the first place but also to inform residents how they can help us if they do have a fire.’
Householders of thatch properties within the New Forest are invited to attend a thatch awareness presentation. The presentations will start at 10:00hrs, 14:00hrs, and 19:00hrs and will last approximately 1 hour – 1 ½ hours and will be held at the following locations:
24 November 2009 at Fordingbridge Fire Station
26 November 2009 at Lymington Fire Station
2 December 2009 at Lyndhurst Fire Station
To book a place at one of the sessions please contact the station Administrator at Lyndhurst Fire Station on 023 80284250
2009-11-13
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