Spate of fires in Earby prompts launch of safety campaign (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Spate of fires in Earby prompts launch of safety campaign

5:00pm Tuesday 4th September 2012 in News By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

A CAMPAIGN to cut the number of house fires in Earby has been launched.

The community confidence campaign has been created by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service in response to the large number of blazes in the town in the past two years.

The community fire safety team has visited residents to give advice on avoiding fires in the home.

A spokesman said: “During the previous two years there were 55 incidents in the Earby area made up of accidental dwelling fires, including chimney fires, deliberate secondary fires, deliberate primary fires and accidental building fires.

“Therefore CFS initiated a community confidence campaign working within the key targeted areas.

“Stage one of the campaign targeted five streets. Letters were delivered to all properties on these streets prior to the campaign.”

A lot of the fires have been attributed to deliberate secondary fires, which stem from rubbish or grass being burnt in the back yard, and which sometimes spread to the property.

The fire service has teamed up with police, Help Direct and Pendle Council to run the campaign and information and preventive measures.

The fire service’s community fire safety team are is working closely with the police over incidents in the area.

In the coming weeks the campaign will see fire safety officers working in the area and with local residents in fire hotspots.