Electrical fire

[polo1]

Just wanted to share this. During the week, a close friend got a call at work to say her house was on fire. I managed to attend whilst F&R were still present. The house has suffered major fire damage, but fortunately no one was at home at the time. Whilst the damage is too great to be able to be definite, the source of the fire (which started in the loft space) is almost certainly electrical. The only circuits in the loft space are/were the first floor lighting, shower and (ironically) 1st floor smoke detector.

She has had no electrical work done in the house (which is approx 14 years old). The only work done was the recent instal of a larger loft access and retractable stair, so it looks like some damage to a circuit may have been caused then. I've attended several sites after fires to test and make good, but to have this happen to a friend has really knocked me for six. She has two kids, 8 & 12, and if this fire had started at night I dread to think what might have happened.

It just shows that even fairly recent installs do not offer 100% protection against faults which can lead to this kind of outcome.

 

[Paul.M]

I'm glad your friend and his family are ok. This is a good advert for why people should have a PIR ever ten years, may have found the fault if it wasn't caused by the loft hatch fitter.

 

[madmac]

I'm glad to here all are ok polo 1. It once again shows and reminds us all of just how dangerous electricity is, I also think that other trades as in this case, have to give more respect to nuisance cables getting in their way and to treat ALL cables as potential dangers when moving,pulling,or compressing them between joists etc. I also agree with paul.m, that more emphasis should be put on regular PIR checks and maybe even go further and give similar powers to inspecting electricians to issue "Dangerous installation" notice when these arise and to isolate dangerous circuits in question until remedied as happens with Gas Safe ( old Corgi). IMO of course boys.

 

[Big n Daft]

I'm glad to here all are ok polo 1. It once again shows and reminds us all of just how dangerous electricity is, I also think that other trades as in this case, have to give more respect to nuisance cables getting in their way and to treat ALL cables as potential dangers when moving,pulling,or compressing them between joists etc. I also agree with paul.m, that more emphasis should be put on regular PIR checks and maybe even go further and give similar powers to inspecting electricians to issue "Dangerous installation" notice when these arise and to isolate dangerous circuits in question until remedied as happens with Gas Safe ( old Corgi). IMO of course boys.

Bang on the money.

 

[DurhamSparky]

pass my regards...! i know how it feels to me effectively homeless..!

plus side no body was hurt and if she is insured she will have a shiney new house to play in ...!

 

[polo1]

Thanks guys. As you say, the family are all ok and houses can be mended. Insurance is in place and have been on the ball. Looks like the family are going to be in temp accommodation for up to six months! I guess when these things happen close to home it really makes you think. F&R said the fire in the roof space was well developed before it it broke through the roof and down into the first floor.
I've often seen smoke detectors in roof voids in commercial settings, but never before in a domestic. Tell you what, I'll be fitting a smokie in my loft soon.
We all see some totally chronic installs in our day to day work but rarely do they actually create outcomes like this. It's kind of shaken my faith a bit given it was a reasonably recent instal with no DIY bodges.
I agree that the 10 yearly PIRs should be mandatory in domestics.

 

[PC Electrics]

Yes, I agree it makes fitting a smoke alarm in the loft a sensible suggestion.

Similarly for PIRs. However if the circuit was modified or damaged round the new loft hatch after a PIR, then the PIR would have done no good.

Surely if it can be shown there was damage to a circuit by these works, then a claim against the PL insurance of the installers should follow??

 

[DurhamSparky]

cant imagine there will be much evidence to pin on the installers!

 

[polo1]

cant imagine there will be much evidence to pin on the installers!

That's the problem, the damage is too severe. In truth, knowing the real cause is more for peace of mind, as their own insurance will cover the reinstatement etc costs (though I guess their premiums will jump). In fairness to the joiner who did the loft hatch work, I understand he is a highly regarded local joiner and if the fire did arise from damage to a cable, it will almost certainly have been an unwitting mistake.

 

[alarm man]

I'm glad your friend and his family are ok. This is a good advert for why people should have a PIR ever ten years, may have found the fault if it wasn't caused by the loft hatch fitter.

its an even better advert for real fire alarms and sprinklers in homes..

 

[ferg]

I feel for your friends but dont be too hasty to blame the joiner.
Could have been rodent damage?
Just been to a job where rodents in the loft had eaten throught the insulation on long meter tails, almost to the copper, wouldn't have been noticed if I hadn't been working there.

 

[polo1]

I feel for your friends but dont be too hasty to blame the joiner.
Could have been rodent damage?
Just been to a job where rodents in the loft had eaten throught the insulation on long meter tails, almost to the copper, wouldn't have been noticed if I hadn't been working there.

Ferg,
you are absolutely correct and it it not the intention to "point the finger" at the anyone, which would be really unfair. I believe he's the sort of guy who would want to know if anything he did could have contributed and would be devasted if that were to be the case. As you say, there are a range of possibilities, including poor connections somewhere etc etc - we've all come across these from tails, consumer units, downlighters etc.

It sems so obvious now (to me at least!) that loft spaces are vulnerable due to the lack of smoke detection as well as the fact most of us use them to store things we should probably throw away, adding to the fire loading.

The family are only interested in geting their home repaired now - the nagging question of what caused it is more mine.