Wiltshire fire chief calls for sprinklers in wake of Derby fire deaths (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Wiltshire fire chief calls for sprinklers in wake of Derby fire deaths

11:30am Sunday 27th May 2012 in News

WILTSHIRE is in danger of seeing a tragedy similar to the deaths of six children in Derby if a call to fit sprinklers as standard in all new homes is ignored, the county’s fire chief fears.

The bid for a change in building regulations in England follows the arson attack two weeks ago that claimed the lives of the Philpott children.

Chief Fire Officer Simon Routh-Jones said: “The smoke alarm did its job, alerting some of the occupants to the fire – however, we believe that sprinklers could have protected those unable to escape. “We don’t ever want to have to report a similar incident happening in Wiltshire and Swindon, but we’re in danger of having to do so if action isn’t taken soon.”

He urged: Let’s not wait another 25 years for evidence to say we should have introduced the widespread fitting of sprinklers - at current rates, a further 8,000 people will have died nationally in that time and 185,000 will have been seriously injured.”

“We’d urge local residents to push this issue with their councillors and MPs. When people are needlessly dying, doing nothing is not an option."

The spinkler campaign is at epetitions.direct.gov.uk.