EASYROME

The owners of a popular seafront hotel in Torquay, Devon are investing GBP 300,000 in new fire safety equipment, as part of an overall investment of GBP 500,000 worth of improvements. The hotel, one of a chain of three hotels, recently had to evacuate over 150 guests and staff members because of a fire which is thought to have started in a tumble drier in the linen store.

A number of fire engines including a Bronto cherry picker, raced to the scene during a Saturday evening in March, right in the middle of dinner. Management had already been alerted by a smoke alarm, so had quickly begun to evacuate guests and staff, however smoke had been seen coming from a first floor window, so fire fighters donned their breathing apparatus to put the fire out. In order to rid the rest of the building of smoke a specially designed large fan was put to work.

A spokesperson for the fire service reported that the room where the fire occurred had been filled with thick smoke and that the visibility had been very poor. The hotel management were praised for acting so quickly and responsibly in getting everyone out safely.

Management reiterated that they always put the safety of guests and staff first, and were extremely thankful for the speedy reaction from the fire service, who arrived within minutes. Fire fighters were also commended for their caring treatment towards guests and staff as well as for leaving the place so tidy! The hotel management stressed how useful the fire training that staff had regularly undertaken was. An ongoing close relationship with the fire service had resulted in a very successful operation, during which all staff members knew exactly what they were supposed to do during the emergency.

Once the drama was over, and guests were allowed back into the hotel, the hotel chef exceeded every-ones expectations by proceeding to produce 140 meals in around an hour, which of course left all the guests extremely happy!

The successful outcome of this fire is in sharp contrast to another hotel fire in Torquay the very next day. Fire fighters battled for several hours against a blaze at a derelict hotel in another part of Torquay. The fire threatened other nearby buildings, which had to be evacuated. Fires have occurred at the disused building in the past, and on this occasion arson is suspected. The site was acquired by developers in 2008.

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Article Source: Blaze Hotel To Get New Fire Safety Equipment