Bolton Road Fire Shows existing Fire Fighting Resources are stretched

A fire in Bolton Road, Windsor on the afternoon of Saturday 7th March dramatically demonstrated the need for Windsor Fire Station to retain 24 hour manning. At its peak 7 fire appliances, a hydraulic platform and mobile control room were deployed to this quiet residential street to bring the inferno under control.

As the first appliance from Windsor arrived on scene the semi-detached Victorian dwelling was already enveloped by thick acrid smoke bellowing from the doors, windows and roof space. A two man team wearing breathing apparatus were sent into the building, as the crew assessed the situation and called in additional resources. A second appliance arrived on scene some minutes later from Slough and was subsequently joined by crews from neighbouring towns which took further valuable time to arrive.

Despite the fact that the incident occurred on a Saturday afternoon with many people out and about to observe, the fire had already spread throughout the dwelling before the first crew arrived. At night and with even a short delay in the arrival of Fire & Rescue teams, the situation might have been even more serious and the consequences for a family asleep in their beds could have been fatal.

Mercifully in this instance, the occupants of the property and neighbours were evacuated without serious injury but it is only a matter of time before a similar fire occurs at night. With night time cover shortly to cease in Windsor, critical minutes will be wasted as crews travel from Slough, Maidenhead or Bracknell to Windsor - during this time lives will be put at risk and property will be destroyed.

Full credit to the crews from Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue who executed their duties professionally and courageously, but observing the teams as they exited the house, their clothing, helmets and breathing apparatus covered with black soot, should serve as a reminder that rapid intervention in such circumstances saves lives.

(Story repeated from FBU Save Windsor Fire Station Site)

FURTHER DETAILS:

At 12-57 hours on 07 March, a severe house fire occurred in Bolton Road, Windsor. (Incident Number 11698) Bolton Road Blaze

This required the attendance of the following FIVE appliances; Windsor, Slough (2 Appliances), Langley and Maidenhead.

Specialist appliances were also sent from Reading, Slough and Maidenhead / Cookham. Two residents suffered smoke inhalation as a result of such an intense fire.

At 13-14 hours, according to the Incident Record, The Berkshire Fire Control Room informed Buckinghamshire Fire Service that they had '…nothing available in Slough area.'

At 13-34 hours, the Wokingham fire engine was sent to standby (cover) at Slough Fire Station - whose engines were deployed to the Bolton Road Fire.

Then at 14-59 hours, the Wokingham Fire Engine was sent to a bin fire at Peascod Street in Windsor! (Incident Number 11701).

Berkshire Fire Authority wishes to close Windsor Fire Station at night to apply the 'needed resources', to Wokingham. However, a Freedom of Information Act request made to Berkshire Fires & Rescue Service by the FBU shows that Wokingham only get one quarter of the night calls received by Windsor!

Now look at the stretched resources relating to the Bolton Road, Windsor incident, plus the lack of cover in the area, then contemplate the future closure of 5 retained stations in the county and you will appreciate just how important it is to keep Windsor Fire Station open 24/7?