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| When a fire of this magnitude occurs, authorities already have an uphill battle when it comes to determining the cause |
The reaction comes following a report in the Black Country-based Express and Star, detailing a fire that destroyed an industrial estate in the region late last year, with evidence from local authorities confirming that the blaze was started deliberately.
The fire at Middlemore Industrial Estate, situated in the town of Smethwick in the West Midlands, occurred throughout the early hours of December 3rd and continued for several days as fire fighters struggled to control it spreading. Over 70 fire staff were called into action over the period, putting a huge stretch on the area’s resources.
The West Midlands Fire Service has now released a statement, saying that “the fire was started intentionally”, confirming the suspicions of the local business community. Many of the companies operating on the site have suffered serious losses in terms of stock damage. A director from Tiger Stationary, Andy Mackay, has said that the fire has destroyed everything on their property, which he states was “fully stocked in preparation for Christmas”.
Authorities are finding it difficult to locate the culprit due to the lack of CCTV security or adequate fire prevention systems in place. A spokesperson for AlertSystems, market leaders in security implementation, has released a statement following the report. “When a fire of this magnitude occurs, authorities already have an uphill battle when it comes to determining the cause.
“The fact that it has been confirmed as an arson attack makes it all the more difficult for those businesses that have been affected to stomach – something that is no doubt amplified by the fact there was no security system in place on or around the industrial estate. With companies losing high percentages of their stock and in some cases having to relocate their offices and warehouses completely, it is imperative that the right measures are taken to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
“Furthermore, this should act as a wake-up call to proprietors of premises such as the Middlemore Industrial Estate to take the appropriate measures in protecting their staff, stock and property.”
AlertSystems manage and maintain thousands of commercial security installations throughout the UK and are specialists in providing business security solutions. Offering professional service and a complete range of security services such as monitored alarm systems, Automatic Number Plate Recognition and Avigilon CCTV security systems, AlertSystems provides effective and reliable solutions to security problems.
