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Westbourne fire tackled by West Sussex and Hampshire Firefighters |
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Written by coder
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Tuesday, 09 January 2007 |
Firefighters from both Hampshire and West Sussex have tackled a fire that damaged the roofs of two properties in Westbourne earlier today.
Smoke was seen coming from the roof of a Victorian cottage in North Street, Westbourne shortly before midday.
At the same time as they were mobilising a fire crew from Chichester, Fire Control Operators in the West Sussex Command and Mobilising Centre requested assistance from colleagues in Hampshire who mobilised fire engines from nearby Havant and Horndean.
They arrived to find the fire had already broken out through the roof and was spreading to the cottage next door. Confirming no one was still inside, they requested the attendance of a Turntable Ladder from Southsea and began tackling the fire from scaffolding erected at the rear of the property by roofing contractors.
Additional firefighters in breathing apparatus (BA) tackled the fire from inside both properties and were able to stop the fire spreading further, but there had already been substantial damage to one roof, which partially collapsed into the attic and first floor.
The fire was brought under control using 8 BA, 4 jets and 1 hydrant. Crews remained at the scene for several hours carrying out salvage work, cutting away and extinguishing hotspots.
The fire is believed to have started accidentally in the roof, in an area where contractors had been working.
Steve Dummer from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said the actions of the Hampshire crews first in attendance had meant further fire damage had been prevented.
"Unfortunately there is substantial damage to the roof, but the construction of this type of property, combined with the windy conditions and rapidly developing fire meant this fire could have been a lot, lot worse. It’s obviously upsetting for the occupiers but we’re just glad that on this occasion no one was hurt."
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 June 2007 )
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