Firefighters to test skills at flats

Firefighters will be tackling a mock blaze in a tower block in Stourbridge tomorrow to test their skills at dealing with fires in high-rise buildings. The exercise will take place at Baylie Court in Green Street.

West Midlands Fire Service has written to the residents in the block to let them know what will be happening. They have also been in contact with the Baylie Court Tenants and Residents' Association.

The exercise between 10am and 2pm will involve activity on the ground floor and between floors 10 and 13, with hoses on the fire escape stairway between those upper floors.

Disruption to residents will be kept to a minimum, with access to the block maintained throughout the exercise.

Watch commander Dave Duff from Stourbridge Fire Station, said: "This is a very important exercise for us as we need to test our procedures in situations that are as realistic as possible.

"Using a block of flats that is occupied will add to the realism."

While informing residents about the exercise, firefighters have also been urging them to arrange Home Fire Safety Checks (HFSC).

These involve firefighters visiting a property to give expert fire safety advice and fit free smoke alarms.

Anyone who would like a HFSC should contact their local fire station, or ring 0800 389 5525.

lThe new-look £1.5million fire station in Parkfield Road, Stourbridge, was being officially unveiled today.