Recently there was a fire at the Thorntons factory in Belper. What made this fire more serious was the possible distribution of asbestos. The BBC News reported that "Two types of material were distributed across the area, and one is being treated as asbestos until it can be determined exactly what it is."
Thorntons Factory Fire in Belper Caused by Aerosol Cans Set Alight
A fire and a series of explosions at a disused Thorntons factory were caused by aerosol cans being set alight, an investigation has found. A building on the site in Belper, Derbyshire, was completely destroyed in the blaze on Friday afternoon.
Two types of material were distributed across the area, and one is being treated as asbestos until it can be determined exactly what it is. Residents are being warned not to touch the thick grey/white material. A spokesman for Amber Valley Borough Council said: "The council is not sure what this material is but there is a suspicion that it could be asbestos, which is hazardous." Continue reading the main story
Arson is the greatest cause of fire in business premises, and this example shows that it does not just affect the premises where the fire was started. The knock on effects can be considerable affecting the wider environment, other business and more importantly, the public.
Business owners are responsible for their own fire safety, and arson prevention plays a large part in this. When researching it I found there is actually a lot of useful information already available on the web. Instead of reinventing the wheel, here are a few links to useful sources of arson prevention information:
The Arson Prevention Forum - http://www.arsoncontrolforum.org.uk/
Cornwall Council Arson Prevention Advice: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7306
Arson Prevention for Business: arson-prevention-for-business-20087
The simplest answer is to seek help from those who know how to reduce the risk. The local Fire Officer is a good source of advice, or failing that call Fire Safety Specialists Ltd on 01246 434 314.
Fire Safety Specialists Ltd - Thorough and Sensible Fire Safety.
