Caithness.org News Bulletins -  October 2002

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FIRE - BRIDGE STREET, WICK
At 20:43 hours on Wednesday, 30 October, 2002 a report was received of a roof on fire at the Riverside Nursing Home, Bridge Street, Wick, a large residential nursing establishment.  Highlands and Islands Fire Brigade (HIFB) units attended immediately as did Ambulance staff and Northern Constabulary Officers from Wick and Thurso.  The initial investigation found that the area affected was between the Nursing Home and the adjacent Church of Scotland on Bridge Street.  The cause was quickly established as being a fault in the flue system of a boiler in the Church which was venting smoke into the home. The residents of the home (43 in total) were firstly quickly evacuated from the affected part of the building to a safe downstairs lounge pending a full assessment by HIFB.

Full local emergency procedures were put into place and the Police Area Commander and the Acting Highland Council Area Manager took initial steps along with the Social Work Department and other agencies to provide alternative accommodation should a full evacuation have become necessary. Thankfully HIFB were able to make the area safe and the incident was stood down at 2130 hours. There were no casualties as a result of the incident and the residents were able to remain at the home.