Friday 16 May
10.00hrs
A bus driver who rescued an elderly couple from their smoke filled
home in Midsomer Norton, will be honoured by Avon Fire & Rescue
Service this week.
In February Paul Vernon, 56, was driving through the village
when he noticed smoke coming from the kitchen of a bungalow at
Hillside Crescent. After stopping his Ring and Ride bus, Mr Vernon
entered the home and led two pensioners to safety. Fire crews from
Paulton and Radstock attended soon afterwards to extinguish the
fire which had started when a chip pan caught alight.
This week Mr Vernon will receive a Chief Fire Officer’s
Commendation letter for his actions. Kevin Pearson, Chief Fire
Officer/Chief Executive (CFO/CE ) of AF&RS said: "There is no
doubt Mr Vernon acted with great courage and quick thought. The
bungalow was already beginning to fill with smoke and in that
situation a few seconds really can make the difference between a
successful outcome and tragedy."
Following the fire AF&RS is now working closely with the
Midsomer Norton and Radstock Ring and Ride Service to promote fire
safety messages to its passengers. Operators of the bus service,
which provides a door-to-door service for elderly and disabled
people living in the area, have been provided with leaflets and
posters on fire safety to hand out to passengers.
Aileen Saunders, AF&RS’s Older Person’s advocate said:
"Research shows elderly people and disabled people are at
heightened risk of experiencing fires and injury in their homes, so
we hope the partnership with Ring and Ride will help us reach the
most vulnerable people.
"Anyone in those at risk groups or anyone worried about an
elderly friend or relative can contact us on free 0800 1693 999 to
arrange a free Home Fire Safety Visit. Our trained staff will visit
your home to discuss specific fire safety requirements and fit
smoke alarms free of charge."
This month AF&RS is also running a campaign in a bid to
reduce the number of fires that start in kitchens, the cause of
around 70% of house fires in the local area.
Aileen said: "Even just a momentary lack of concentration in the
kitchen can have devastating consequences. Chip pans are an
extremely risky method of cooking and are responsible for countless
fires and injuries each year.
"Our advice would be to bin your chip pan and swap it for an
electric deep fat fryer. Householders should also think hard about
basic fire safety tips to keep themselves and their families safe.
And if the worst does happen and a fire starts leave your home,
closing the door behind you, and call 999. "
As part of the kitchen safety campaign firefighters from Bath
Fire Station will be at Morrison’s supermarket, on London Road,
Bath, on Saturday 17 May to give shoppers tips on staying safe in
the kitchen. Crews will carry out chip pan fire demonstrations,
discuss safety with members of the public and hand out
leaflets.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service has these tips for
staying safe in the kitchen:
· Never fill a pan more than one third full of fat or
oil
· Never leave the pan or grill unattended when the heat
is switched on
· Never put food in a chip pan if the oil begins to
smoke. Turn off the heat and leave the oil to cool, otherwise it
could catch fire
· Try to avoid using a chip pan altogether. Electrical
deep fat fryers are a much safer alternative as they are
thermostatically controlled
· Never wear loose clothing near to cooking materials,
as it could catch fire causing severe burns, or it could get caught
on something and pull it over
· Keep tea towels well away from cooking appliances, as
they could catch fire
· Clean hobs regularly to prevent a build up of fat
which can catch fire
· Drinking alcohol and cooking is a mix that can end in
disaster
If a pan does catch fire:
· Do not move it - it could cause burns which last a
lifetime
· Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so but never
lean over the pan to reach the cooker controls
· Never throw water on it, this will only make it
worse
· Get out, stay out and call 999. If possible close the
kitchen door on your way out.