Councillors urged to promote safety messaging following fatal house fires

A FORMER firefighter, now serving as a councillor on Derry City and Strabane District Council, has urged homeowners to prioritise home fire safety following four fatal house fires in one week in Northern Ireland.

At December’s council meeting, councillor Fergal Leonard, who retired as a senior officer in the Fire Service responsible for public safety prior to entering local politics, spoke of the fires which occurred at homes in Lisburn, Bangor and North and West Belfast.

Speaking at the meeting, councillor Leonard who represents Sinn Féin in the Sperrin DEA, said: "I would like to take time to mention the very sad fact that there have been four fire deaths that have occurred in people's own homes here in the North.

"For decades, statistics have shown that the majority of fire deaths actually occur in people's own homes.

"The figure of four deaths in a week from accidental fires is not one that I have ever encountered before.

"The people that have lost their lives should not be regarded as statistics; they are family members loved by their family.

"I'd like to pass on our condolences and sympathies to the families and friends."

He continued: "The number of house fires does increase in the winter months and the Fire Service have published online fire safety and home advice, that people should read carefully and comply with.

"I would ask that this advice from the Fire and Rescue Service is also promoted by council on their social media.

"And I would ask all Aldermen and councillors to consider doing the same.

"Finally, in the same vein of keeping people safe from fire in their homes, it's also an opportunity to mention a piece of legislation - The Smoke, Heat and Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.

"This regulation came into place this time last year and it states that landlords must fit smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in their rental properties, and that tenants are acquired by this legislation to report to their landlord any defective alarms."

People Before Profit councillor, Shaun Harkin, echoed the remarks.

"I want to send my condolences and solidarity to the families of those who have died recently as a result of fatal fires," he said.

"I think that we have to make sure that the Fire Service is properly funded in order to be able to raise awareness around this in schools and community centres and avail of all opportunities to speak to people about the importance of proper security at home and making sure their alarms are working and what kind of sockets are appropriate and what shouldn't be left on when people leave their their homes.

"It's also the case that we have had discussions in here about the need for proper regulation of different forms of housing and accommodation, and I think that this speaks volumes about the necessity of that as soon as possible.

"It's something that the Fire Service representatives that have come in to speak to us have been very, very concerned about and I think we should continue that collaboration with them to make sure that we do everything we can to avoid home fires and fatalities."

The DUP's Alderman Niree McMorris also commended councillor Leonard for raising the issue.

"I'd like to put on record to our condolences from our party as well, and I really want to thank councillor Leonard for bringing this up. I know it's something that he's very passionate about,” she said.

"The more legislation and the more we can put into avoiding these kind of tragedies is really important."

The SDLP's John Boyle added: "On behalf of the SDLP, we would also like to extend our condolences to all of those who've been affected by the very recent fire tragedies that we've seen here in the North.

"I know that councillor Leonard is very passionate about this this particular subject.

"I think it's a subject that we are all rightly concerned for, and it is very true that it's very evident that these sorts of tragedies do appear to occur much more in the winter months, and again messaging around this is very important as well.

"I commend the Fire Service for the work that they've done in terms of trying to highlight the matter.

“It's only right that they did so, and it's right that they continue to do so.

"And again, of course, we're very appreciative of all of their efforts whether it be trying to highlight matters like this, or of course, trying to come to people's rescue and them.

"I sincerely hope that we don't see any more such tragedies."

Councillor Boyle also highlighted the importance of education: "People need to understand the importance of, particularly at this time of year, of switching off an awful lot of the extra lighting that they may well have in their homes or even something as simple as not charging your mobile phone and sticking it underneath your pillow.

"Again, it's heartbreaking to read those sorts of stories. I know many people in this city have been touched in this way over the years.

"I know some people personally who've lost family members in house fires. I'm sure we all do, so again, our hearts go out to them all."

Alderman McMorris asked council to highlight on social media the fact that the Fire Service conduct free safety checks on homes.

"If you have no fire alarms in your homes, they do come out and they would install them for you," she said.

"I think that's important if we have people in our city and district who don't have smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms, or anything else that could avoid these tragedies, then we should be selling that out there so that people are available of these checks."

Ulster Unionist Alderman, Derek Hussey, also expressed his sympathies to those families devastated by the tragedies.

He added: "The Fire Service themselves have been quite proactive and putting out information, and as councillor Leoanrd has suggested there, we should all be sharing that information out to all of our contacts and asking people to ensure that they raise their vigilance around this particular issue and particularly at this time of year."