Nine out of ten fires started deliberately

"Nine out of 10 fires in a North East Lincolnshire town are started deliberately, the fire service says."

This was a headline on the News website recently, referring to Grimsby. You might think that things are different where your business is, and certainly Grimsby is particularly unfortunate, but deliberate fires happen everywhere, even in the most comfortable parts of the country.

Year in, year out, about half of all fires reported to the fire brigade have been started deliberately. Most of those fires are no more than a nuisance, but many of them spread to buildings and cause serious losses: injuries to people, even death, with damage to businesses and local communities.

We all pay the cost, one way or another. Think of the tax, community charge, and insurance premiums wasted in fighting the fires and repairing the damage, and in addition to the effects on business, the loss of our schools, clubs and leisure facilities. More worrying for the business person is the unpleasant statistic that over 80% of businesses never fully recover following a significant fire, despite insurance paying for the damage. Once the customers have gone elsewhere, it is often very difficult to tempt them back.

So what can be done?
All businesses should be taking basic security precautions, of course, such as good quality door and window locks, and some will need to fit door and window security shutters against vandals. But it is the space outside the premises where most effort needs to be concentrated.

Most arson fires affecting businesses start outside the premises. The arsonists are usually young males, who have no real motive other than to cause trouble, and will light their fires with whatever is to hand: usually, rubbish, packing and waste in skips. Unfortunately, often their fuel is provided by a full plastic wheelie bin, which can be moved up to the building. Once the waste inside is alight, the plastic bin itself will burn fiercely, which often spreads the fire to the building itself.

There are some simple steps everyone should take, which will significantly reduce the risk of arson.

• Be aware of what's going on in the neighbourhood. Small fires are often a warning of worse to come.
• Clear up graffiti and repair minor damage as soon as possible: otherwise minor arson will tend to follow. And then major problems start.
• Make sure the rubbish bins are sited away from the building, and if possible secured in place.
• Don't overfill the bin, and make sure it is shut tight.
• If possible avoid leaving overspill beside the bin, as this will be an open invitation.
• Where possible, try to avoid leaving bins out overnight: put them outside early on the collection day.
• Store used cooking oil inside until collected, and keep total quantities as small as possible. If there is no space inside, consider an external locked metal bin for the drums.

It is particularly important to separate used oil and paper/cardboard waste. There have been events where cooking oil drums in the middle of a fire exploded, spraying burning oil for many metres around, and setting fire to other buildings. This can also place firefighters in great personal danger.

It makes a great deal of sense to talk to other businesses in the area, so that you can all co-ordinate your efforts. Further specific help and advice on protecting your business against arson can be obtained from the local Fire Brigade, the Crime & Disorder Partnership which is run by the Police, or download the MORE TH>N BUSINESS Fire Safety podcast.