The fires that burned in several parts of United Kingdom last weekly spread in same way like those that led to great fire of London and it would be much worse with stronger winds and fire expert said.
fires in Wennington, Uxbridge and Erith destroyed 41 objects last Tuesday when the temperature rose above 40 degrees Celsius, making this day the hottest. on record in UK, and fire services had their busiest day since second world war.
Guillermo Rein, professor of fire science at Imperial College London, said that strong winds play a major role in spread 1666 fire that lasted for four days and ended when soldiers blew up home to create fire breaks and the strong east wind dies down down.
“While it’s blowing [great fire of London] It was completely unstoppable,” he said. “So let’s just say way. Tuesday could be even worse if we more wind.” Wind gusts reached 14 miles per hour last week, slightly above average.
“Obviously London of much safer today than in London of 1666. But it was a city fire where fire extends from one home another with vegetation. That’s what happened in 1666. That’s what happened on Tuesday.”
After the 1666 fire London’s mostly wooden houses and churches were rebuilt in stone, and a changing climate means that builders, architects and public also need change your approach to fire safety now, Rhine and other experts said.
Most fires are started by people, usually by accident, through sky lanterns, barbeques, or bonfires believed to be out but they keep smoldering.
Anyone with garden should be aware of of how fire may spread to them. home, according to Rein. Compost fire can spread to a wooden fence, which can then set light to an overhanging tree and in turn to the roof of a house.
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Coals carried by the winds also dangerous – 1666 fire spread to different areas when the coals landed on other houses.
“Tile is incredible fire sustainable,” Rein said. “But if they are not looked after, embers can fall through the hole, and the structure of roof made from wood.”
Paul Bussy, Member of Royal Institute of British architects fire group’s expert advice said: “Our legislation does not apply to external fires spreading from one building to another. We are not used to this. But we really need to start I think about it.
“When you also a business with carbon-zero economy where we try use more wood and less concrete, that’s a tough question.”
Green living walls such as one in ExceL building in London, can be considered a vector for a fire spread, he added. “We must reach a stage where we can resolve all these conflicting issues. in proportional way”.
Forest fire building board of Australia published design last April for “a disaster-resistant house called Fortis with goal that the Australians in areas prone to wildfires, cyclones or floods may be evacuated but returned to find their home intact.
Keith Kotter, Executive Director of body said the designs included an aerodynamic roof to resist cyclones and metal mesh screens to protect windows from coals and heat. Modernization of existing homes is also en option depending on type of of buildingshe added.
“Ninety percent of our homes not resilient to local disaster risks,” Kotter said. “Classic UK house has a lot of strengths – brickwork and stone are strong and resilient. What is most important is the detailing, looking where we have chimneys, vents, drains, exhaust pipes. fans and sealing them up using mesh screens so embers can’t get in in.
“People should be sure to pay attention to tempered glass – double glazing is usually fire resilient but tempered glass.
