Cutting fire risks in flats and bedsits across county

Pic caption:
l-r (back row) Tim Birchall (BLFRS Service Training Manager) and Paul Fuller (BLFRS Fire Chief)
l-r (front row) David Adams (Luton Borough Council), Nick Costin (Central Bedfordshire Council), John Molyneux (Bedford Borough Council) and Tony Rogers (BLFRS)

Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service (BLFRS) has been working closely with local authorities in Bedford, Luton and Central Bedfordshire, to improve fire safety standards in the rented residential accommodation sector and in particular 'Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) for 2011.

A formal agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed by all partners, following a presentation by Group Commander Tim Birchall who gave a breakdown of the common causes of HMOs fires and explained that by ensuring landlords comply with the relevant fire safety legislation, risks can be reduced significantly in the New Year.

BLFRS works closely with local authorities, housing associations and private landlords to ensure compliance with national fire safety standards. In addition BLFRS provides free home safety checks and will install a smoke alarm where needed. Detailed work to educate and encourage people to make sure their premises meet fire regulations led to the signing of the agreement.

Tim Birchall said: "I believe the work we have done here and continue to do is partnership working at its best and will help to save lives.”

BLFRS Fire Chief, Paul Fuller, added: "The risks of injury and loss of lives in HMOs - flats and bed sits and so on, are much greater for a variety of reasons. I congratulate my team on the work they have done here to reduce those risks to the people of Bedfordshire and Luton."