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A couple of years ago I attended New Year's Eve dinner at a restaurant near Trafalgar Square in London.
Spiral Staircases, Basements & Exits
It was down a spiral staircase. I asked where the fire exit was. They had another second exit beyond the kitchen. That would be the escape route if the fire was between me and and the spiral staircase. If the fire started in the kitchen, the escape route would have been up the spiral staircase.
I was concerned about the staircase. But half an hour after midnight, I was glad to be out and going home.
Entrances and Exits To Tube Stations
Unfortunately, when it was time to leave, there were huge queues outside the nearest underground railway station. Police had blocked off the entrance because crowds from Trafalgar square and areas all around had already filled the station platforms, escalators and entrance hall.
We asked the waiting time, which would be about half an hour, estimated. We could see a huge line, behind snake barriers, like you get at Disney and I had experienced many years ago at Habitat in Canada. We did not want to queue. We did not want to stand still in the cold for half an hour or more.
We went back to the warm restaurant which was still open with about half the diners still there and we reclaimed our table felt obliged to order more wine and food. Down and up the spiral staircase again.
Crowds and Crushing
I remembered another New Year's Day in Singapore when we joined a crowd watching the parade of Harley bikes with the riders, and the the passengers in colourful costumes. I was swept away from my husband and I retreated into a shop doorway. Even there, for a moment I was crushed by the press of passers-by, and for a moment I feared I would be injured by the press of people.
Avoiding Crowds
This year, my American relative in London told us he did not want to join us for a New Year's eve dinner in central London. he preferred to stay home and watch television, not go to a crowded city centre. He also does not drive at night in London in winter.
My husband was still keen to go. After being frail, I declined to go to the city centre, ending late beyond midnight.
Instead we took a frail friend who is on chemotherapy, to a New Year's Day lunch at Borough Market (see my other blog posts). The Market was closed for New Year's Day, so the streets were not crowded.
A spiral staircase to a basement is not ideal for a fast exit.
If I don't see a fire exit. I try to sit near a door, away from the kitchen.
The latest news reports 40 dead and 116 injured. The basement had a permitted capacity of 100. So either there were more than the permitted number in the basement, all of whom died or were injured. Or people above on the ground floor were also injured. Or people who went back to rescue others, or retrieve belongings, were also injured.
Long Term Effects Of Fire
Whichever it was, a huge number either dead or with physical and mental trauma for many years, probably for life. This event will certainly stay in my mind for the coming month, and every New Year's Eve, and when planning where to go. The costs of lifetime care require huge payouts from individuals or insurance companies.
Records of Fire Checks and Extinguishers & Fire Escape Exits
In terms of fire checks, it seems to me that those in charge of several buildings, whether as landlords, or governments, need a spreadsheet of properties, with records of inspections on a checklist, so that gaps in inspections or provision of fire extinguishers can be remedied.
Fire Extinguishers Misused & Locked
Earlier newspaper reports indicated that fire extinguishers were locked away because bar patrons, youngsters, had tried to use them when there were no fires for a prank. If that is the case, as with fire alarms, signs should warn of large fines for prank use of fire alarms. (Which happens in schools, university dormitories - it happened several times at my son's residence in Brunel.)
Warnings Needed
Scouts and schools should emphasize that such pranks lead to loss of life. Why? Because after pranks, patrons ignore alarms. Also building managers lock away extinguishers.
Exits Misused
Also leaving without paying through a fire exit, or entering through a fire exit to avoid paying, causes the fire exits to be locked.
I remember seeing signs in streets on the numbers of people killed on the roads in certain dangerous areas. We have mandatory notices on basins used by staff instructing them to wash their hands. We should have signs saying,
If patrons leave without paying, then instead of allowing tabs, credit cards should be taken at the beginning, or deposits taken, or money taken for entry with for first drink free.
In London we had to leave a non refundable deposit for our Christmas Day meal at Hawksmoor. that was to prevent no shows. But the same would also deter the use of fraudulent cards, embarrassment over cards which are beyond expiry dates and don't work. Business hotels now take payment in advance as an option, which enables customers to leave whenever they like without paying. A similar system was used at WOW in Portugal. You paid for a museum tour which included four drinks at designated points in a one way system, showed a pink bracelet and a card which management ticked for each alcoholic or non alcoholic drink. This would also prevent people drinking too much.
Sample Sign Warning
40 dead and more than 100 left with lifelong injuries from fire in a building with blocked fire exits.
Do not block or lock this fire exit!
Penalty 500 dollars.
Useful Websites On Fire Safety
SAFETY
https://www.cross-safety.org/uk/safety-information/cross-feature-article/fires-nightclubs-started-pyrotechnics
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+are+bengal+lights
WORLDWIDE FIRES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fireworks_accidents_and_incidents
SWISS FIRE
https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/switzerland-swiss-bar-fire-owner-6z2nnv6fq
VIDEO
https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=mail+swiss+fire&type=E210GB885G0#id=3&vid=222bbd08dee9ddf4b2bab9916fa98119&action=click
Victims of Swiss Fire
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3vel0xvlvgo
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/swiss-ski-resort-fire-every-36490994
Update on Swiss fire on New Year's Eve
https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/switzerland-swiss-bar-fire-owner-6z2nnv6fq
Please share links to useful posts from my blogs.
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