Published on:
13
April 2012
Emergency services have been praised after their rapid response limited the damage to a popular building in Tullibody used by parents and children.
Fire broke out at the Action for Children Tullibody Family Centre in Newmills at around 7pm on Easter Monday, 9th April.
The Council-owned building, which is run in partnership between Clackmannanshire Council and the children's charity, is currently used by a significant number of parents and their children. No one was in the building at the time of the blaze and there were no injuries.
Deirdre Cilliers, Head of Social Services Clackmannanshire and Stirling, said: "We are indebted to the swift arrival of Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service after the alarm was raised. They were on the scene within minutes of receiving an emergency telephone call from a nearby resident and quickly had the fire under control.
"Without this rapid response, damage to the timber framed building would have been much more extensive. At present the fire damage is estimated at £10,000, which is covered by insurance."
Fire broke out at the rear of the building at 6.35pm, with the first of two fire appliances from Alloa, on the scene within seven minutes. A second appliance arrived from Stirling minutes later. It took 45 minutes for the fire service to get the blaze under control, but they were unable to prevent extensive damage to the building..
Smoke damage to one playroom and an office has resulted in both being out of use for seven days for repairs.
Council workers are carrying out repairs to the single storey building, known locally as "the Big Blue House". It is hoped it will be restored in full within one week. Several scorched timbers have also had to be replaced.
Arrangements have been made with the Alloa Family Centre, who have offered their support and the use of their facilities as the need arises, and any necessary cover.