On the anniversary of the blaze that ripped through the historic Cathedral Yard area of Exeter last October, firefighters in the region are calling for an end to dangerous fire service cuts. The fire caused massive damage before being extinguished, and placed huge demands on the resources of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service who sent 150 firefighters to put the fire out.
Last Friday (20 Oct) Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority endorsed a draft Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP), the purpose of which the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) believes is to pave the way...
Reflecting on a year since the fire which tragically destroyed The Royal Clarence Hotel, John Badley, Regional General Manager and in charge of the hotel on the night, has been reflecting on his memories of the events of 28 October 2016.
John comments, “It’s hard to believe the fire was a year ago. In some ways, the memories for both myself, and the city, seem so recent, so it’s hard to believe it’s been a year already. Work until now has been mostly to make the site safe and make preparations for the rebuild to commence, so it’s exciting to start seeing the first details of the...
An on-call firefighter at Danes Castle will be taking part in the Trans-America Bike Race in June 2018 to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity and Wooden Spoon Devon.
The race involves cycling 4,300 miles across 10 US states in around a month.
Brian Murray retired as Chief Fire Officer from Highlands and Islands Fire Service in 2010 after a 30-year career, having served in numerous brigades and at the Fire Service College.
After moving to Exeter in 2013, Brian joined the on-call crew at Danes Castle. He said: “I could not resist the challenge as I had always...
Fire control received a call from a member of British Rail reporting an empty passenger carriage on fire at Exeter St Davids in the early hours of this morning.
Five pumps from in and around the Exeter area were mobilised plus several specialist supporting vehicles and several officers.
The fire was discovered at 4.59am today.
Firefighters discocered the fire in the engine compartment of a parked up train. Crews used two breathing apparatus, two compressed air foam jets and one thermal image camera to extinguish.
Fire crews tackled a blaze in a double decker bus in Exeter last night.
The Fire Service Control Room received numerous calls report a large vehicle fire and two appliances from Exeter were mobilised to the incident.
Crews located a double decker bus well alight and immediately got to work using two breathing apparatus and two compressed air foam jets. All passengers were free and clear of the vehicle.
Steady progress was made with the fire, the vehicle was 70% destroyed by fire 2500l of water and 14l of foam was used to extinguish the fire.
Over the last few weeks eight local fire stations in and around Exeter have received a donation of specially designed animal oxygen kits from a local Insurance office.
With 46% of UK households owning pets and with over 42,000 house fire in the UK alone last year, there is no wonder over two Million UK people have lost pets in fires, not to mention how many animals could come to need them in wildlife sanctuaries and rehoming centers.
LV=’s Regional Community Committee in Exeter discovered Smokey Paws, who’s aim is to provide all fire engines across the UK with specially...
Firefighters in the South West, along with the TUC, raised more than £1,000 at the 3 day Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival in July for the Grenfell Firefighters’ Support Fund.
A cheque was presented last week (Wednesday 23 August) by Fire Brigades Union (FBU) South West official Tam McFarlane to a group of heroic firefighters from Battersea fire station who responded to the Grenfell fire. McFarlane was joined by Nigel Costley, South West TUC regional secretary, and Joanne Kaye, South West TUC vice-chair.
Tam McFarlane said: “The support and solidarity shown by everyone at the...
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service will be opening its doors to the public for a family open day on Sunday 6 August.
Everyone is welcome to come along to learn more about the work of firefighters and how they can make their homes safer. The event is to be held at Service Headquarters, near Exeter, on Sunday 6 August, 10am-4pm.
Funds will be raised for Hospiscare Exmouth & Lympstone and the Fire Fighters Charity. There will be lots for all the family to see and do, including:
• Safety advice and demonstrations • BBQ • Fireman Sam Shop • Face painting...
Three appliances from Teignmouth, Dawlish and Torquay, and an Operational Assurance Officer, were mobilised to the Beachcomber Café in Teignmouth, following several calls reporting a fire.
Immediately upon arrival of the first appliance, the assistance of a fourth fire engine was requested. This was mobilised from Paignton.
Below id he fire service log:
23:00 - Kitchen area of the café is well alight. Remainder of the property is heavily smoke logged. Two sets of breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet are in use.
Fire crews tackled a blaze at a Devon residential home last night.
The alarm was raised at the property in Court Street, Moretonhampstead at 9.37pm.
On arrival crews discovered smoke pouring from the building.
Firefighters used three hose reels, three thermal imaging cameras, ladders and six wore breathing apparatus set to extinguish the fire. At the height of the incident five crews were in attendance.
The fire involved one first floor bedroom which was 100% damaged and part of the adjacent landing which was 20% damaged.
