Cheshire Fire Service attempts to make boat owners fireproof - This Is Cheshire
Cheshire Fire Service will be targeting approximately 1,000 boats on the Cheshire canal system to help highlight the effects of a fire. Fire Service staff will fit free smoke alarms and provide general fire safety advice during these checks and will also advise on the safe use and storage of fuel.
Deputy chief fire officer Chris Turnock said: "Boat fires pose particular problems for firefighters. They are usually moored in remote locations and are hard to reach by the service's appliances, so time is of the essence when a fire breaks out.
I've noticed a surge in cases of fire on canal boats recently. Perhaps it's only a case of me noticing them - thanks to my upcoming Boat Safety examination - rather than an increase in the number of conflagrations.
(Sue on No Problem reported here about the aftermath of the burning of Thistle at Honeystreet last month.)
The highest profile disaster for me was last year's fire on Emerald (now undergoing restoration at Caggy's boatyard in Tipton) but there are many other similar sad stories, few of which we hear of. For example poor old Reckless pictured here, currently at Streethay Wharf.
(I remember adoringly admiring this boat when it was on sale as 'Recklis' though Andy Burnett about four years ago. It used to be moored at Granny's old mooring at Fradley Junction. What a hostage to fortune the name was)
The story that started this post continues:
British Waterways will support the initiative by distributing leaflet information at selected locations across the Cheshire waterway network. Waterways patrol staff will also undertake fire training at the fire service headquarters to provide on the spot information and advice about boat fire prevention to craft owners.
To request a free boat fire safety check call 0800 3890053.
I wonder how many people will really call in to request a check? The ones in danger would probably scorn the interference of the authorities. The ones who'd benefit from mild, sensible advice would likely hold back, from fear of being reported in some way, if they 'failed'.
And the anally retentive, safety first-and-always types, paranoid about it, would probably be the first to call the helpline and the last to let the fireman go, and offer them cups of tea, laughing loudly in mock horror when they lit the gas ring for the kettle, whoops, where's the fire blanket, ha! ha! ha!
It would be interesting to have a fire safety officer check over a boat immediately after it had been looked over by a boat safety inspector, and then turn the tables and have the boat safety inspector follow up a fire safety officer. And then compare results.
Of course boat safety is far more than about just fire and asphyxiation. As the sad story of Emerald (burned by burglars) showed, it also involves security. So you need to add a visit by the local Plod into the mix.
The Metropolitan Police aren't much help - their FAQ doesn't mention canals or boats at all (and if you've got a fire they'll refer you to the local authority for advice).
The West Midland Police are a bit better - they've stuck a blue police lamp on the old Toll House at Hawkesbury Junction (says a press release on their website) and if you want to ask them for advice you can now press a button and communicate by intercom with the police station in Coventry. But I don't know if you can ring up and book an inspection of your boat's security system.
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