LET'S SAVE LIVES - CALL FOR SPRINKLERS IN NEW HOMES IN ASHFORD

3.11.23pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 22nd Mar 2007

George Koowaree, Lib Dem Councillor on Kent's Fire Authority, is pressing for direct talks with Ashford house builders about installing sprinklers in new homes.

At a meeting of the Kent & Medway Fire & Rescue Authority held yesterday (21st March) in Maidstone, George asked the Chief Fire Officer, Charles Hendry, to talk to house builders in Ashford.

George said: "We are going to see 30,000 new homes built in Ashford by the year 2030. They should be as safe and as green as possible. The cheapest way to save life, and the environmental pollution which results from house fires, is to install sprinklers as the houses are built."

Mr Hendry agreed to Mr Koowaree's request to meet with Ashford Councillors and developers.

Note:

This year there have already been six fatalities and 23 casualties from accidental house fires.