Industrial Accidents and Major Fires
What is the risk of industrial accidents and major fires in Warwickshire?
Several organisations in Warwickshire store or use potentially dangerous substances. These sites are regulated by the Control of Major Accident Hazard regulations (COMAH). These regulations aim to reduce the likelihood that an accident will happen, and also aim to reduce the severity of an emergency should an accident happen.
In December 2005, there was an explosion and fire at the Buncefield oil storage depot in Hertfordshire. The fire lasted five days and 2000 people were evacuated from their homes. More than 40 people were injured; fuel and fire water entered controlled waters and the incident had a massive impact on the local community. This was Britain’s most costly industrial disaster. The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, which resulted in the tragic loss of 72 lives, further underscores the importance of stringent safety measures and community preparedness.
Due to strict regulations, these incidents do not happen frequently, but it is important to be aware that these and any large fire could happen in Warwickshire, and you need to know what to do if this was to occur in your area. Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service regularly carries out safety checks and enforcement operations to address key risks within the community. As a result, there have been very few large-scale fires, with the last notable fire occurring in the summer of 2021.
How could an industrial accident or major fire
affect you and your property?
A major fire or industrial accident could cause:
- Risk to life
- Casualties/ injury
- Toxic smoke from the site and poor air quality in surrounding areas
- Disruption to utilities, which may need to be turned off temporarily (electricity, gas, and water)
- Damage to local properties and businesses
- Local road closures causing traffic disruption
- Some people may have to be evacuated from local houses and buildings in close proximity
- Some people may be asked to stay inside and keep windows and doors shut
- Strain on emergency responder organisations
- Temporary disruption to daily routines due to emergency response activities.
We can all be better prepared to
respond and recover from industrial accidents and major fires
Pay attention to public information leaflets
The area surrounding COMAH-regulated sites is known as the public information zone (PIZ). If you live within or near a PIZ you will receive flyers and other guidance telling you what to do should there be an accident.
Prepare a grab bag
What would you need if you had to leave in a hurry? What would your family or your pets need?
Include essential items such as medications, ID, bottled water, snacks, a phone charger, pet supplies, and important documents.
Know your local emergency contact points
Familiarise yourself with your local council's website and emergency services' social media channels so you know where to look for updates in a crisis.
How to prepare your business
Responding
during an incident
- Go In, Stay In, Tune In. If you are near an industrial site when an accident happens, you should go inside straight away. Once inside, stay where you are and tune into local radio stations and social media channels for further information.
- Follow guidance given. Listen to the news on local radio stations and follow any instructions that you are given. This guidance might be to leave or stay in your home, whether you can use your vehicle, and what arrangements are being put in place to look after you. If you have an internet connection, follow updates from your local council on their website or social media.
- If you are nearby when a large fire occurs, go inside and ensure doors and windows are closed. Only leave the property if asked to evacuate by responding agencies such as the Police or the Fire and Rescue Service.
- Listen to the radio, check emergency services’ websites or look at social media for updates.
- There will be a significant presence of emergency service vehicles at the scene, and the area will be very busy. Please keep a safe distance and avoid gathering or observing the incident as a bystander.
Find your emergency contacts for industrial accidents and major fires
What is being done to become
better prepared?
WRF partners work with COMAH site operators regularly to develop plans on how they will help residents and businesses in the event of an incident.
WRF partners will issue information and guidance for the public. We regularly test our emergency response plans to make sure they are effective. This will include on-site exercises so we know the layout of the sites.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service carries out fire safety inspections of all large buildings and works with industrial sites to reduce the risk that an accident will happen and to better understand the specific risks at each site.
All COMAH sites must be approved by the competent authority, which comprises the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Who is responsible for managing
industrial accidents and major fires in the county?
Health and Safety Executive information:
Local Authority information site:
Some of our partners
