Fire Buffs promote the general welfare of the fire and rescue service and protect its heritage and history. Famous Fire Buffs through the years include Edward VII, who maintained a kit at a London fire station.

February 20, 2008

FIRE WARNING FOR U.K.


Overcrowded immigrant housing is creating a major fire risk across the U.K., the BBC reports, and a senior fire official is speaking out.

Peter Holland, chief fire officer of the Lancashire fire service, said:

``I'm seriously concerned that somewhere in the UK we're going to have a multiple fire death ... The problem's been exacerbated by the influx of Eastern European migrants, who are moving into the highest risk properties that we have here in the UK, where we're already struggling to maintain fire precautions.''

According to the BBC, 28 people escaped from a fire in an immigrant hotel in North London last year, while fires in Belfast and Yorkshire killed three Polish workers.