Road reopens after hotel fire

17 August 2006

Traffic in Lincoln city centre is back to normal after a fire at the Barbican Hotel in St Mary's Street.
Fifteen people were thought to be inside the hotel when a fire broke out in a single room at about 8.19am on Thursday.

Police say no-one is thought to be hurt.

Police and ambulance crews joined firefighters on scene, and St Mary's Street was closed to traffic with motorists diverted past the former Grand Hotel and along the Brayford.

The road has since been reopened, and firefighters are investigating the cause of the blaze.

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Upgrading of island fire fighting services

THE resilience of the population of Clare Island was certainly tested last week when an outbreak of fire occurred at the island’s only hotel, the Bay View. Locals tackled the blaze using domestic fire extinguishers and fire blankets which were issued to householders by Mayo County Council. It took 30 of them several hours to bring the blaze under control but extensive smoke damage was caused to the interior, particularly the diningroom and kitchen areas. The fire fighting equipment was supplied following representations to the authority following the tragic deaths of three sisters in a house fire on Inisboffin some years ago.

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Neighbours on nearby Inishturk and Inishbiggle were also kitted out and all the island homes were fitted with smoke alarms.
However, there are no trained fire-fighters on any of the off shore islands and appeals have been made to the council to upgrade these services.
The provision of protective clothing and hose and ladder squads would be a first step in meeting the demands and allaying the fears of the islanders.
It must be stated that Mayo County Council has been to the forefront in transforming the lives of islanders by the provision of essential services – facilities that are taken for granted on the mainland.
Piers, roads, water schemes and housing have all made the islands a better place on which to live and raise a family.
Without the backing and support of the council it would not be possible for many of the islanders to remain in their homes.
Likewise, Island’s Minister Eamon O Cuív has been to the forefront in funding vital projects to make island life more attractive.
But the core of this issue is the provision of the necessary fire fighting equipment and training to enable locals to tackle any outbreaks of fire in a professional and safe way.
The financial outlay would not be enormous in the overall budget of Mayo County Council and the upgrading would, no doubt, qualify for departmental and EU assistance.
Indeed, it is now timely that Comhdháil Oileán na hÉireann – the Irish Islands Federation – should make a case for the upgrading of fire fighting services on all of the 21 offshore inhabited islands.
There was no loss of life as a result of the Clare Island Hotel fire thanks to the quick action and bravery of the locals.

Woman Dies After Moon Hotel Fire

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- A 48-year-old woman pulled from a motel fire in Moon Township last week has died.

Gina Martinez lived on the second floor of the Rodeway Inn on University Boulevard and frequently helped clean the building, according to the manager.

She collapsed on the first-floor stairwell while trying to escape a fire that investigators said started early Thursday morning in a storage room