Fire Service Sues over Asbestos Dangers

By Pat Hurst, PA News

The Government is to be sued by a fire brigade for not warning firefighters of the dangers of asbestos, it was revealed today.

Merseyside Fire Service confirmed it is taking the Government to court, claiming it was negligent in not telling firemen of the dangers from the substance.

Fireman William Melling, from Merseyside, died in July 2002 from an asbestos-related illness. Merseyside Fire Service admitted liability for his death and is believed to have paid his family £100,000 in damages.

But the service’s legal advisers claim the Government is equally to blame for not issuing proper safety guidelines early enough to warn firefighters of the dangers from the substance. They want to the Government to pay them £50,000.

Asbestos was used extensively in the 1950s and 1960s to fireproof millions of buildings before its dangers were recognised and its use banned.

More cases of firefighters suffering asbestos-related illnesses are expected to come to light prompting further claims, according to industry experts.

Merseyside has issued a writ against the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Government department responsible for the fire service.

The department said today it did not yet know if the writ had been received but could not comment if legal proceedings had begun.