A fire which began in a vape shop and destroyed a building in Glasgow has prompted a safety call from North Yorkshire’s fire brigade.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said vape shop owners had a duty to ensure safety arrangements are in place and maintained in their premises.
The service has also called for vapes to be disposed of at dedicated drop-off points and not in household waste or recycling bins to avoid fires in lorries and at tips.
It follows a fire in Union Street in Glasgow on Sunday, 8 March which destroyed a Victorian building and closed the city’s railway station.
Glasgow Central reopened for the first time since the fire last Wednesday (25 March).
The fire began in a vape shop though an investigation into the exact cause remains ongoing.
More than 200 firefighters were involved in the response to the fire which gutted several businesses while nearby hotels were evacuated and roads were closed.
Shops do not currently need a licence to sell vapes of e-cigarettes.
But this could change if the Tobacco and Vapes Bill currently making its way through Parliament becomes law.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the Fire Service Regulation Order 2005 placed a duty on responsible persons at businesses to ensure their premises are safe.
It added they always looked at the best ways to support businesses to operate safely and they would follow the outcome of the investigation into the cause of the Glasgow fire.
The service said: “Following the devastating fire in Glasgow, we want to remind businesses of the guidance we can provide and the steps you can take to operate safely.
“We have a team of fire safety professionals who can provide guidance relating to fire safety in buildings.
“Our Protection and Risk team also conduct fire safety audits, address fire safety concerns and when required enforce fire safety law.
“We are committed to keeping the public safe, if you have questions or feel something is not right about a fire safety issue please contact us.”
The service has also called on people to dispose of vapes at drop-off points which are now in most supermarkets and council sites.
More than 6m vapes or pods are thrown in bins instead of being recycled every week, according to the Recycle Your Electricals campaign.
The group said they can cause dangerous fires when crushed in bin lorries or at recycling centres.
They added fires caused by batteries in vapes and other electricals can endanger lives and cause serious environmental and health risks.
Safety advice and legal information for businesses is available from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service here.
