Inconsiderate parking delays firefighters responding to 999 call

INCONSIDERATE parking delayed firefighters responding to a 999 call in Huntingdon. Crews were called to a car fire at the petrol station at Sainbury s in St Germain Street at 1.44pm on Tuesday, December 23. Firefighters were delayed on-route by motorist

INCONSIDERATE parking delayed firefighters responding to a 999 call in Huntingdon.

Crews were called to a car fire at the petrol station at Sainbury's in St Germain Street at 1.44pm on Tuesday, December 23.

Firefighters were delayed on-route by motorists who were inconsiderately parked on Avenue Road. It took crews nine minutes to navigate their way to the petrol station via an alternative route.

Crews used one hose reel to extinguish the fire and one casualty was treated at the scene for shock and smoke inhalation.

Kevin Napier, Watch Manager at Huntingdon Fire Station, said: "We are asking motorists to be considerate when parking their vehicles by taking a quick look around once they are stationary to make sure that they would not be blocking a fire engine or any other emergency vehicle from getting past.

"Some of the roads in Huntingdon were simply not built for the volume of traffic that we see today, so we understand the difficulties that some motorists face.

"We realise this problem is not going to change over night, but we would urge vehicle owners to consider, where possible, parking off the road and trying not to park too close to junctions or on bends as this prevents fire appliances from manoeuvring.

"The average fire appliance is 2.6m (9ft) wide and 8m (26ft) long, and one day it could be trying to get to your house.