A new fire safety plan for Marlborough’s historic High Street is being launched by Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service next Monday (September 8).
Premises in the town centre have suffered several catastrophic fires in the past, with flames spreading quickly from building to building.
One of the main challenges for firefighters when such problems arise is not knowing how each building is constructed and how it relates to its neighbours.
In many cases, a shared roof void can stretch across several premises, which greatly increases the risk of any fire spreading.
This happened in the early hours of New year’s Day 1993, when a stray firework started at 121 High Street – a survivor of the Great Fire of Marlborough in 1653.
The fire spread to three neighbouring properties in a three-storey terrace – all historic properties – because there were no firebreaks in the roof space.
Station manager Paul Jarmey explained: “We have been holding discussions with the town council and we are keen to work with tenants and property owners to build up the best possible picture of each building.
“At the same time, we want to deliver specific safety advice to individuals, and encourage everyone to work with us to make Marlborough as safe as we can.”
A Fire Forum now meets every quarter, allowing the Fire & Rescue Service and the town council to look at a range of issues.
As well as buildings, the forum considers safety at events such as the Mop Fair and the Jazz Festival.
Over the coming months, Marlborough firefighters will get out and about in the town centre, meeting with residents and businesses, sharing safety advice and developing a detailed ‘risk plan’ of the High Street.
Although the intention is to reduce the risk of fire wherever possible, such planning will also inform firefighting operations should the worst happen.
During the campaign’s launch week, firefighters will also be using the Town Hall to promote a range of safety initiatives and encourage local people to become on-call firefighters in their community.
Station manager Jarmey said: “Although we are using the week starting September 8 to launch this campaign, and our firefighters will be very visible throughout the town centre during this time, we will continue to work with local people over the coming months to ensure that we identify as many risks as possible.
“Once we know where the problems are, we can explore ways of mitigating them.”
He added: “Marlborough is rightly proud of its High Street and we want to ensure that it retains its historic charm for many generations to come.”
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