Fire crews carry out checks on vape shops in wake of Union Street blaze
Summary
The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS) has been conducting safety checks on Glasgow premises, including vape shops, following the large fire on Union Street in March. An audit of 18 businesses revealed a lack of awareness of the Fire Scotland Act, unavailable fire safety documents, and poor coordination between landlords and tenants, particularly in buildings shared with residential flats. SFRS plans to send letters to these businesses to raise awareness that they are responsible for carrying out fire risk assessments. The March Union Street fire, which started in a vape shop, led to major demolition of the affected building and road closures; an investigation into its origin and cause is ongoing. At the Safe Glasgow Partnership meeting, officials also discussed preparations for Bonfire Night, including school education visits, plans to remove bonfires before they are lit, and areas where anti-social behaviour is anticipated. Fire statistics for the first quarter of the financial year showed no fatalities from blazes, 122 rescues, nine people treated, and 627 non-fire incidents attended, including road collisions in which 15 people died.
(Source:Stv News)