Two people had to be cut from their vehicles in Knaresborough this morning following separate crashes.
Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough were initially called to a two-vehicle collision at the junction of the B6164 and A658 at 8.34am.
On arrival, all occupants from one vehicle were out of their car but a woman was unable to leave the other vehicle because of neck injuries.
Firefighters used hydraulic cutting gear to free the woman, who was taken to hospital.
Another image from the incident on Thistle Hill. Photograph: @NorthYorkshireFire, Twitter
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Harrogate and Knaresborough crews were called out again at 9.44am when a single vehicle collided with a bollard on Thistle Hill.
The elderly male driver suffered neck, back and knee injuries and was unable to get out of the vehicle.
Firefighters again cut the roof of the vehicle to release the man, who was taken to hospital.
Neither person taken to hospital is believed to have suffered serious injuries.
Famous North Yorkshire pub ‘reduced to ashes’ in overnight blazeA North Yorkshire pub famous for its food and setting in a historic thatched inn has been “reduced to ashes” in a fire which took hold overnight.
The owners of the Star Inn at Harome, which will be well-known to food lovers in the Harrogate district, called the fire service at around 10pm last night.
Firefighters battled the blaze overnight with nine fire engines on scene at its peak. As of 7am this morning, crews were still working to extinguish the fire.
In a dramatic video posted by the pub’s owners on social media just after 4am the thatched roof can be seen ablaze with smoke billowing out into the night sky. They said:
“It’s been a long night so far…I’m afraid we won’t be open for a while as we are reduced to ashes with The Star on fire and still burning, residents please call after 9 am.”
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https://twitter.com/TheStaratHarome/status/1463723386534862849
The Star Inn is famous for its food, having held a Michelin star for much of chef Andrew Pern’s tenure who has been at the pub for 25 years.
Fire crews from Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Pickering along with the aerial ladder platform from Huntington have attended the fire.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said at 7am:
Firefighters rescue sheep from swollen River Ure in Ripon“At it’s peak the incident had nine appliances, one aerial ladder platform, one water bowser, one welfare unit and an incident command unit in attendance.
“Crews worked with main jets and hose reel jets to contain the fire and the aerial ladder platform was deployed to removed thatch from the roof.
“The incident is still ongoing and crews are still working to extinguish the fire.”
Firefighters rescued a flock of sheep which managed to get stranded in the middle of the swollen River Ure in Ripon.
A crew from the fire station in Ripon worked with water and animal rescue teams to save 12 sheep from the fast-flowing water yesterday. Heavy rain had caused river levels to rise, cutting off the sheep from land.
The firefighters got the call at around 9am and headed straight to the river.
They waded into the water and used their bodies to slow the current before shepherding the animals away from harm.
Tom Harrison, a firefighter who was part of the rescue effort, told the Stray Ferret:
“Once we had located the sheep we set up a team and made a safe passage for them to cross the river.
“We didn’t need to use any equipment, we just stood in the water and used our bodies to slow the flow of water.
“When we managed to get one to leave the island the rest soon followed.
“All of the sheep managed to get away so yes I would say it was a successful operation.”
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A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue added:
“Initial assessment from an officer to reports of approximately 12 sheep stranded on an island in the river.
“After confirming Fire and Rescue could assist in the rescue of the sheep, various water and animal rescue teams were sent to assist.”
This latest animal rescue comes almost a year after a similar incident with cows in the River Ure during the floods in November 2020.
Coneythorpe pub reopens by thanking firefighters who saved itThe owners of a family-run pub in Coneythorpe, which reopened yesterday after 11 months, have thanked firefighters who saved the building.
Fire crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb spent six hours battling a blaze at the Tiger Inn, near Knaresborough, in November.
To mark the reopening 11 months on, Ian and Barbara Gill, who have owned the Tiger Inn for 15 years, presented a cheque for £5,000 to the men and women who saved the pub from total destruction.
The money will now go to the Fire Fighters Charity, which helps firefighters and their families cope with injury, illness and rehabilitation.
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Paul Metheringham, who was the incident commander on the night of the fire, said:
“This is a tremendously generous gesture by the Gills and we are very appreciative. The fire was massive and we were thankful that we were able to save the Tiger from being completely destroyed.
“We know what an important part of the local community the pub is and we are delighted it has now reopened. This cheque presentation makes the re-opening even more special.”
The Knaresborough crew released this picture today.
Mr Gill said:
“This was the least we could do. The local fire brigades from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb were absolutely brilliant, showing incredible courage and expertise. We have so much to thank them for.
“We are delighted to have reopened – and to welcome back our regulars after being closed for so long. During our closure, we have been so heartened and encouraged the support we have received from the local community, who have given us the strength to carry on and to ensure that The Tiger has re-opened in style.
“We were left devastated by the fire. It was accidental and we were grateful that no-one was hurt. As you can imagine, the last 18 months have been extremely challenging. We were already struggling with the serious effects of covid last year, when the huge fire struck.”
Ms Gill added:
Harrogate firefighters rescue baby squirrel from toilet“Had it not been for covid, someone would have been on the premises when the fire started. But, on the plus side, as the pub was empty, it meant there was no danger to life. Even so, the part the brave firefighters played in saving our pub was absolutely crucial. We will be forever grateful to them.”
Firefighters were called to a house in Harrogate late last night to rescue a baby squirrel from a toilet.
A concerned resident called North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue last night to ask for help with an animal stuck in the bathroom.
When the firefighters arrived just before 10pm yesterday, they found a baby squirrel struggling in the toilet bowl. It is not known how it got there.
After what may well have been a bit of a struggle, they managed to fish out the little rodent.
Despite a tough evening for the squirrel, the firefighters released it unharmed back into the garden.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said:
“A crew from Harrogate responded to a report of an animal stuck in a bathroom.
“On arrival they found a baby squirrel in the toilet bowl, it was released unharmed back into the garden.”
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Firefighters across the Harrogate district held a minute silence today at 12pm as part of an international effort to remember their fallen colleagues.
Members of the Blue Watch in Ripon and the Green Watch in Harrogate stood outside their bases today to pay their respects.
