Fire chief says new-build homes are safe

Newly-built homes are safer than ever before, while older, isolated houses have the greatest fire risk, Shropshire’s chief firefighter has warned.

Chief Fire Officer Rod Hammerton said development in towns was a good thing for fire safety, as those homes complied with more up-to-date fire and safety ruless that reduce risk.

At the Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority meeting, held at the brigade HQ in Shrewsbury yesterday, Councillor Leon Murray said he saw more and more new homesbeing constructed as he drove through Shropshire and neighbouring counties.

The Labour member, who represents Hadley and Leegomery on Telford and Wrekin Council, asked: “What is the impact that this new development is having on the fire service?”

Chief Fire Officer Rod Hammerton reassured the 17-member panel that his brigade has “a better understanding of the risks in Shropshire than ever before.”

He added: “We welcome new houses. They’re built to code and they are fire resistant.

“Our risk at the moment is moving out of town, into older, more isolated buildings and communities that are getting increasingly difficult to access.”