Warning over fires taking emergency service resources
Dorset's chief fire officer has warned of "avoidable" fires draining resources during the coronavirus pandemic.
Crews are damping down at the scene of an overnight fire at Winfrith Heath near Wareham affecting a hectare of gorse which 45 firefighters were called out to tackle.
While a man in Corfe Mullen required hospital treatment for burns after being injured while using petrol to light a bonfire over the weekend.
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Ben Ansell, from Dorset and Wiltshire fire service, said: “These aren’t life-threatening injuries... [they are] a strain on the NHS and something which was clearly avoidable."
"Every time an ambulance is called out and paramedics are dealing with people, frankly they are needed in other parts of the NHS," he added.
He also warned people not to leave cooking pans unattended while self isolating or homeschooling children.
M5 Somerset southbound severe disruption, from J23 for A39 to J24 for A38 Taunton Road.
M5 Somerset - One lane closed on M5 southbound from J23, A39 (Bridgwater North) to J24, A38 (Bridgwater South), because of emergency repairs. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Fresh appeal for PPE for workers in Avon and Somerset area
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Businesses
across the Avon and Somerset police force area are being asked to help support the local efforts in
tackling Covid-19.
The Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum, which is a partnership of the police, NHS and local councils, has made the appeal.
It is struggling to find a range of key items:
Water repellent surgical face masks
Non-latex gloves
Disposable plastic aprons
Eye protection
Hand sanitiser (minimum 60% alcohol content)
Chief executive of Somerset County Council and spokesman for the forum, Pat Flaherty, said: "We are aware that supply chains are under significant
pressure and that every effort is being made to fix the problem, however, we
are very concerned that some of our critical services do not have the supplies
they need."
Engineering company Renishaw has started mass-producing components for medical ventilators, to
support the NHS during the pandemic.
The firm, which has manufacturing sites in Gloucestershire and South Wales, said both factories were now running seven days a week.
Marc Saunders, from Renishaw, said: "When the government called, we scrambled to respond, and immediately realised the daunting scale of the challenge.
"Ventilators are sophisticated medical devices and we felt that our capabilities would be best applied to helping scale up the production of designs with existing technologies."
The company normally supplies products for jet engine and wind turbine manufacture, through to dentistry and brain surgery.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service has put out an urgent appeal for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Pat Flaherty, from the Local Resilience Forum, said it was "vital" to protect frontline workers.
He said they were aware "national supply chains are under significant pressure" but expressed concern they did not have the supplies they need.
He said: “As we continue to escalate this urgent issue to government through all available channels, we are attempting to source our own supplies locally so that we can continue to deliver critical services.
"As a short-term measure, we are asking local businesses for any support that they can provide with supplies of PPE. If any are able to help, we would urge them to get in touch.”
Envelope update
Severe accident: M4 Bristol eastbound
BBC News Travel
M4 Bristol eastbound severe accident, from J20 for M5 J15 to J19 for M32.
M4 Bristol - One lane closed on M4 eastbound in Gloucestershire from J20, M5 J15 (Almondsbury Interchange) to J19, M32 (Bristol), because of an accident. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Video caption: Laura Kirby-Deacon says the gesture will help with those who lose people to coronavirus.Laura Kirby-Deacon says the gesture will help with those who lose people to coronavirus.
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK

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Water repellent surgical face masks
-
Non-latex gloves
-
Disposable plastic aprons
-
Eye protection
-
Hand sanitiser (minimum 60% alcohol content)
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BBCCopyright: BBC BBC News Travel Video caption: Laura Kirby-Deacon says the gesture will help with those who lose people to coronavirus.Laura Kirby-Deacon says the gesture will help with those who lose people to coronavirus.
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Read moreWarning over fires taking emergency service resources
Dorset's chief fire officer has warned of "avoidable" fires draining resources during the coronavirus pandemic.
Crews are damping down at the scene of an overnight fire at Winfrith Heath near Wareham affecting a hectare of gorse which 45 firefighters were called out to tackle.
While a man in Corfe Mullen required hospital treatment for burns after being injured while using petrol to light a bonfire over the weekend.
Ben Ansell, from Dorset and Wiltshire fire service, said: “These aren’t life-threatening injuries... [they are] a strain on the NHS and something which was clearly avoidable."
"Every time an ambulance is called out and paramedics are dealing with people, frankly they are needed in other parts of the NHS," he added.
He also warned people not to leave cooking pans unattended while self isolating or homeschooling children.
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Severe disruption: M5 Somerset southbound
M5 Somerset southbound severe disruption, from J23 for A39 to J24 for A38 Taunton Road.
M5 Somerset - One lane closed on M5 southbound from J23, A39 (Bridgwater North) to J24, A38 (Bridgwater South), because of emergency repairs. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
Fresh appeal for PPE for workers in Avon and Somerset area
Businesses across the Avon and Somerset police force area are being asked to help support the local efforts in tackling Covid-19.
The Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum, which is a partnership of the police, NHS and local councils, has made the appeal.
It is struggling to find a range of key items:
Chief executive of Somerset County Council and spokesman for the forum, Pat Flaherty, said: "We are aware that supply chains are under significant pressure and that every effort is being made to fix the problem, however, we are very concerned that some of our critical services do not have the supplies they need."
Any businesses that can help are being asked to email: re asked to e-mail COVIDdonations@avonandsomerset.police.uk.
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The firm, which has manufacturing sites in Gloucestershire and South Wales, said both factories were now running seven days a week.
Marc Saunders, from Renishaw, said: "When the government called, we scrambled to respond, and immediately realised the daunting scale of the challenge.
"Ventilators are sophisticated medical devices and we felt that our capabilities would be best applied to helping scale up the production of designs with existing technologies."
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Urgent appeal for PPE from fire service
Avon Fire and Rescue Service has put out an urgent appeal for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Pat Flaherty, from the Local Resilience Forum, said it was "vital" to protect frontline workers.
He said they were aware "national supply chains are under significant pressure" but expressed concern they did not have the supplies they need.
He said: “As we continue to escalate this urgent issue to government through all available channels, we are attempting to source our own supplies locally so that we can continue to deliver critical services.
"As a short-term measure, we are asking local businesses for any support that they can provide with supplies of PPE. If any are able to help, we would urge them to get in touch.”
Envelope update
Severe accident: M4 Bristol eastbound
M4 Bristol eastbound severe accident, from J20 for M5 J15 to J19 for M32.
M4 Bristol - One lane closed on M4 eastbound in Gloucestershire from J20, M5 J15 (Almondsbury Interchange) to J19, M32 (Bristol), because of an accident. Traffic is coping well.
To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time
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