A RESIDENT has expressed fire safety concerns following the blaze that engulfed an area of Canford Heath last month.
Mrs Caroll, a resident of Sutton Close in Canford Heath, has labelled an area of heathland outside her home as a potential fire risk that could cause 'maximum fire damage’ to her property.
The huge Canford Heath fire on April 23 saw flames spread to an area equivalent to 23 football pitches, and although the area of heathland outside of Mrs Caroll’s home was not affected, she remains anxious that it could be at risk in the future.
Read more: Dorset Police continue investigation into Canford Heath fire
She said: “I’m so worried about this place setting alight.
“If there was a fire here and the embers went in the direction of the houses, our house would go up straight away.”
Read more: PICTURED: Green shoots emerge from heath ravaged by fire
Mrs Caroll has argued that the firebreak that separates the Sutton Road houses from the heathland is not sufficient. She had reached out to BCP council prior to the Canford Heath fire to flag her concerns.
She said: “I was advised by BCP Council that the firebreak was of a safe width, and they were not willing to extend the width of it.”
“Since the rapidly spreading and horrific fire that occurred on Canford Heath I am even more understandably concerned that my house and my neighbours would be at very high risk if a fire was to happen at the back of where we live.”
Mrs Caroll has reached out to BCP council again following the Canford Heath fire.
Read more: Canford Heath fire: Everything we know about the heath fire
In response to her concerns, councillor Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for environment and place, said: “I can understand the concern from the resident, and we take this seriously. The risk of fire affecting properties at this location has been deemed low, however our natural habitats team will investigate the area to reassess and take action if necessary.
“We encourage residents to check out the Fire Wise initiative – a community risk reduction programme which is based on research by the world’s leading fire experts on ignition of homes from wildfire.”
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