Latest news with #Cramlington
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
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James Robinson Local Democracy Reporting Service BBC Two fires have been caused by solar panels at two council buildings over the last 13 months Potential safety issues with solar panels were known to a council for more than a year before a fire broke out at a primary school. Shanklea Primary School in Cramlington caught fire on 5 July, but Northumberland County Council said it had been aware of potential safety issues with the panels since June 2024 when a similar fire broke out at Northburn Community Centre. A council spokesman said similar panels fitted on 141 of its buildings had been switched off as a "precaution" following the school fire. Local Labour leader Scott Dickinson called the year-long delay "crazy" and accused the council of putting lives at risk. "How lucky are we that the fire happened at the weekend?" he said. "Somebody could have died. "There have been two fires, we're just lucky they have not been at a school full of children or a building that could have injured the workforce." David Fisher The fire broke out on 5 July, when the school was closed A council spokesman said there had been "no requirement or recommendation" for the solar panels to be turned off following the Northburn fire but further action would have been taken if there were concerns over public safety. Following the community centre fire, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service began a plan to inspect all the council's solar panels installed prior to 2019. The spokesman said there were 81 schools, 10 fire stations, six leisure centres and 44 other buildings fitted with these solar panels in the county. They all remain open. The council said the fire service had been contacting the sites since July 2024 to request access so the checks could be carried out. The local authority has been contacted to find out how many of these inspections have been carried out. "As a precautionary measure, and while the matter is being investigated, the council has isolated solar panels across all similar properties where installations predate 2019," a council spokesman said. "This will enable the council additional time to consider the findings of the fire investigation report and any recommendations or implications for the wider solar portfolio of sites." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Northumberland County Council
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cramlington Concoria Leisure Centre £500k leaky roof fund
Half a million pounds has been set aside to repair a leaky leisure centre County Council agreed to fund the work to replace the flat roof of the Concordia Leisure Centre in Cramlington.A report presented to the Conservative-led cabinet said without the work the bowling alley, bar and studios would likely have to close during periods of heavy leisure centre was revamped in 2016 and, while temporary repairs have since been carried out to the roof, the council was told the frequency of the leaks was accelerating. Speaking at the cabinet meeting, portfolio holder for leisure services Wendy Pattison said: "We fully recognise that our council investment into sport and leisure is an investment into the health and wellbeing of our residents."Flat roofs can be very difficult and this one is now leaking in several places."The replacement will be funded from the council's Concordia capital improvement budget, reports the Local Democracy Reporting pot includes £300,000 of unallocated funding, the cabinet heard, which could be used if the project goes over budget. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Shanklea primary school stays shut after solar panel fire
A primary school will remain closed until Thursday following a fire which started in solar panels on the Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said the blaze began just before 14:00 BST at Shanklea Primary School in Cramlington on was injured and Northumberland County Council said the damage was "not as significant as first thought".The local authority said the school would remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday to allow remedial works and additional health and safety checks. NFRS said five crews were sent to the scene where the solar panels on the west side of the building were ablaze.A council spokesperson said: "School staff have worked hard alongside structural and electrical engineers to understand the extent of the damage caused by the fire."They added parents and carers would be informed of the next steps. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Fire breaks out at Shanklea Primary School in Cramlington
Firefighters are tackling a blaze at a primary school, which started in the solar panels on the Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said the fire began shortly before 14:00 BST at Shanklea Primary School in Cramlington and five crews were sent to the said the solar panels on the west side of the building were ablaze but no-one had been County Council could not confirm whether the school would open on Monday but said it would support "any arrangements that need to be made". Pictures taken from the scene show large plumes of black smoke billowing out of the building.A spokesperson for NFRS said: "Crews used two hose reel jets and a covering jet to attack the fire, along with four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus."The fire service was supported by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service. Northumbria Police and the North East Ambulance Service were also in crews remain at the scene. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- BBC News
Cramlington alcoholic arsonist attacked elderly mum's home
An alcoholic arsonist who deliberately set his elderly and disabled mother's home on fire has been jailed for eight Southern, 61, started two fires at the back door of his 85-year-old mum's home after they fell out over his drinking and persistent pleas for money, Newcastle Crown Court was woken by a vibrating fire alarm beneath her pillow, while neighbours also saw the blaze and came to her was found guilty of committing arson with intent to endanger life. Judge Amanda Rippon said she could not imagine the fear his mother had felt. Southern, of Arcot Avenue in Nelson Village, Cramlington, and his mother previously had a good relationship, but that deteriorated over the 18 months leading up to the blaze because of his alcohol abuse and demands for cash, prosecutor Ian Cook 22 October last year, she complained to police about her son and he was arrested on suspicion of harassment before being released on condition not to go to her he turned up again the following day and police had to be called again, the court heard. Hard of hearing Then, at about 03:00 BST on 24 October, Southern took a ladder so he could scale a locked garden gate and set fire to a mop head and garden gloves beside the back door to his mother's home, Mr Cook smashed a window in the door so the blaze would get inside, the court mother, who was hard of hearing and had put her hearing aids on charge overnight, was asleep in having a stairlift because of her mobility issues, she got downstairs to find the back door ablaze and neighbours at the scene trying to put it out, the court heard. In a statement read to the court, Southern's mother said she felt "at ease" knowing he was in prison "getting help and support" for his issues."Whenever I hear noises, I worry in case it is Paul," she said, adding: "I never thought Paul would do anything like this."Judge Rippon said it was "hard to imagine" what it must have been like for the woman "to find her son set fire to her home intending for her life to be endangered".The judge said Southern was an alcoholic but he refused to accept been deemed dangerous, he must serve an extra two years on extended licence.A restraining order banning him from contacting his mother or going to her home for 10 years was also made. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
