Fire Brigade active in George Street Last Night & Today!

After their intervention in Hastings town centre earlier this week (blog), East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service were back in action in numbers again when 10 fire crews last night tackled a blaze at the former night club in George Street (BBC) that I mentioned in a blog last year had planning permission approved for a change to the use of numbers 39-41. This morning, George Street and the road at the seafront was blocked off from Iceland to Rock a Nore Road/The Bourne; George Street still is closed (above).

However, the applicants for the new building venture had requested that all the buildings be demolished, but number 41 (HBC) is a grade II listed building that The Georgian Group opposed its demolition (HBC) and, more importantly, despite accepting the suggestion that numbers 39-40 be demolished, Historic Buildings & Places (Ancient Monuments Society) objected to the demolition of number 41 (HBC). They're facts.

The full list of documents concerning this application are at the Hastings Borough Council website, including those linked above.

So, as ever, rumours abound, but all we know for now is that there was a fire last night, and the above links suggest that number 41 is unlikely to be demolished, but nothing is definite, despite those objections. For now, don't believe all you read. 👌

Stay safe folks!

Filsham Reedbed Fire: People Need to be Vigilant!

There was a fire at Filsham Reedbed yesterday evening, which was attended by East Sussex Fire & Rescue, extinguished, and classed as "accidental" (Sussex Wildlife Trust website, from which the above image is copied too, many thanks). Sadly, 10,000 square metres of open reedbed was burnt to the ground. 

Regular readers will know my fondness of this wonderful Sussex Wildlife Trust nature reserve, which I last visited towards the beginning of the Coronavirus Crisis lockdown (blog), when I, as ever, took delight in the beauty, peace and tranquility...

But there was no "peace and tranquility" yesterday evening when, not only was significant damage caused to the reedbed, undoubtedly much wildlife, birds and animals, would have suffered and died in the fire too... caused by perhaps what may seem as insignificant an incident as someone throwing away a cigarette. This is a reminder, just a small thoughtless act may cause death and destruction after the long dry period we have experienced.

As Sussex Wildlife Trust add "Vegetation everywhere is tinder dry, so it is vital that people visiting nature reserves and the wider countryside do not have barbecues, drop cigarette butts or leave any litter behind, as glass bottles and other reflective material can easily start a fire. Please be vigilant and if you see an unattended fire, phone 999 to report it immediately" (website).

Please please be careful, and vigilant, people, we don't want to hear of anymore incidents where suffering, death and destruction has been caused by thoughtless acts. Because of the pandemic, and the dry weather over the last couple of months, we need to be extra careful, let's look after each other and nature, many thanks...

Hastings Labour Party firebombed by Right-Wing Terrorists?!?

The Hastings Labour Party office in Bohemia Road was set on fire on Tuesday evening, and with Labour Party members on the premises, but what were the circumstances, Right-Wing Terrorism?!? See the BBC website (many thanks for photograph). I am very sure Sussex Police (website) would welcome any information please, many thanks.

A few days later

The Police have since confirmed the "fire was started deliberately" (Argus).

Fire in Queens Road.

Smoke alerted me to a fire in a flat in Queens Road 30-40 minutes ago, 4 or 5 fire appliances turned up very quickly, police, ambulance and paramedics too. 

I spoke to one of the fire officers present, who assured me people were safe, no worries, all was in order; and the emergency vehicles are gradually departing now. 

Thank goodness for our emergency services, I'll be thinking of them on the 8th June, when I put my cross on the ballot paper, indeed!

Hospice Fire update...

Irene Dibben, chairwoman of St Michael's Hospice, has been reported to say that the consequences of the 11 July fire have been "quite major", and the hospice may take up to a year to reopen (BBC), though nothing has been recorded to this effect on their own website, to date.  

Meanwhile, numerous local fund-raising schemes for the hospice continue to evolve, including many organised by local people, and businesses and shops; eg a Concert for St Michael's, featuring a variety of local music, on 6th September at the White Rock Theatre (website), and the 1066 Charity Walk on 27th September (Hospice website). 

Keep up the excellent work people of Hastings!  

Fire at St Michael's Hospice this morning...

Statement from St Michael's Hospice - 

In the early hours of Saturday (11th July 2015) morning a fire broke out on the ground floor at St Michael’s Hospice, St Leonards on Sea. 

All patients were successfully evacuated to neighbouring nursing homes and the Conquest Hospital accompanied by members of nursing staff. All families of patients are in the process of being contacted. Two patients have been admitted to the Conquest Hospital with smoke inhalation. The Hospice is extremely grateful to the nursing homes and the hospital for their support. 

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service attended and the fire was successfully extinguished. Police and Fire Services are currently carrying out an investigation, there will be no further comment from the Hospice at this time. 

For any clinical enquiries call the Head of Clinical Services on 07827 912570 for any other urgent enquires call the Head of Marketing on 07827 912621.