North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service' Archives - Page 11 of 21

Swimmers take to Swinsty reservoir as part of mass trespass

Bathers took to Swinsty reservoir on Sunday as part of a mass trespass aimed at promoting the right to swim in UK open waters.

It is illegal to swim in Yorkshire Water-owned reservoirs, including Swinsty.

The company and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service issued a joint plea on Friday urging people not to enter reservoirs on safety grounds.

Yorkshire Water estimates 277 accidental drownings occurred in 2021, of which five were in North Yorkshire. Eighty-two percent of the 277 fatalities occurred inland, at reservoirs, lakes and rivers.

Ramblers take part in an annual gathering at Kinder in Derbyshire to mark the 1932 protest that established the right to roam.

But swimmers have taken to the United Utilities-owned Kinder reservoir to exercise “the uncontested right to swim in open water” as part of the protest in the last three years following the boom in wild swimming

Swinsty on Sunday. Pic: Len Downes

Sunday’s gathering at Swinsty in the Washburn Valley took place on the same day as the Kinder trespass.

Kate Rew, founder of the Outdoor Swimming Society, told the Stray Ferret:

“We were there and we communicated to our members about it — but no one organised it, it was a happening.”

Pic: Len Downes

Alastair Harvey, lead countryside and woodland advisor at Yorkshire Water, said last week:

“It is vital those visiting our sites stay out of the water, no matter how tempting it may appear. Cold water shock, undercurrents and operating machinery all pose dangers to people deciding to enter the water.”

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said in a statement:

“Reservoirs can be extremely dangerous and swimming in them can soon become serious, or even fatal – even if you are a strong swimmer.”

Birds’ nest causes freak fire in Green Hammerton

Firefighters were called to Green Hammerton shortly after 8am this morning after a birds’ nest caused a freak fire.

According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log, the nest fell down the chimney of a boiler, which then caught fire when it was lit.

Firefighters used water to extinguish the fire, which was confined to the base of the boiler.

Crews also “gave advice to staff on site”, the incident log added.

It did not say precisely where the incident took place or whether any birds were harmed.

Today also saw firefighters extinguish a small fire in woodland in Ripon at 3.10pm. The fire is believed to have been caused deliberately by youths.

Harrogate village cricket pavilion destroyed in suspected arson attack

Arsonists are believed to have destroyed a cricket pavilion in a village near Harrogate.

Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough were called to Weeton Lane in Weeton at 8.40pm last night to reports of a shed fire.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log added:

“On arrival this was found to be a wooden cricket pavilion which was completely destroyed. Crews used one hose reel to extinguish the fire.”

The incident log did not give a cause of fire but villagers have reported seeing youths fleeing from the scene.

The cricket club in Weeton folded years ago and the pavilion had fallen into a state of disrepair.

Some frustrated villagers are keen to mount a campaign to restore the site to community use.

Weeton cricket pavilion arson

Man’s hand burned

In a separate incident later last night, Harrogate firefighters responded at 10.30pm to a smoke alarm going off in a house on Olive Grove in Harrogate.

The incident log said:

“This involved a candle which is believed to have been left unattended, causing smouldering to surrounding surface.

“One male suffered burns to his hand, received treatment from fire crew and will make his own way to hospital. Crew also ventilated property. Burn pack used.”

Firefighters rescue man retrieving his shoe in Knaresborough

Knaresborough firefighters dealt with an unusual call-out last night when a man ran into problems retrieving his shoe.

The man climbed on to the roof of Knaresborough Community Centre on Stockwell Avenue in pursuit of his footwear.

It is not known how the shoe got there but the person then required help getting down.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log said firefighters were summoned at 8.15pm last night. It added:

“Crews from Knaresborough assisted a young male down from the roof of the community centre after trying to retrieve his shoe.

“A triple extension ladder was used.”

Further details about the man, and what happened to his shoe, have not been revealed.

Police and fire crews rescue homeless man from Starbeck bin

Police and fire crews rescued a man from a commercial bin in Starbeck last night.

Firefighters from Harrogate were called to a premises in the High Street just after 6pm, where they used small tools to release the man.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Fire Station said:

“It was believed to be a homeless person who got himself trapped accidentally when the lid came down and locked.”

Police officers at the scene offered to take the man to a homeless shelter.

Reduction of Harrogate fire engines based on faulty data, commissioner admits

The decision to reduce Harrogate’s number of nighttime fire engines was based on faulty information, it has been revealed.

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe controversially reduced the number of appliances from two to one in her recent three-year fire service blueprint for North Yorkshire.

One of the main concerns during consultation was that if a second fire engine was required to come from Knaresborough in an emergency, it could get held up at Starbeck level crossing.

At a Harrogate Borough Council meeting in September last year, Ms Metcalfe allayed fears by saying firefighters knew the train times and could ring ahead to Network Rail if they needed to cross urgently.

Ms Metcalfe addresses Harrogate Borough Council in September last year.

But in response to a freedom of information request, Ms Metcalfe’s office has now admitted this was “incorrect”.

Tina James-McGrath, a staff member at the commissioner’s office, said the information was provided by a now-retired “member of the senior leadership team” at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and it was then “relayed in good faith by the commissioner”.

Ms James-McGrath added:

“It has since transpired as a result of investigating your query further, that the information provided to the commissioner was incorrect.”

She said Harrogate and Knaresborough fire stations “have an awareness of train times, but this can be difficult to predict” and the fire stations “will not call Network Rail when working at an incident on or close to a train line where working crews may be put at a safety risk”.

Ms James-McGrath also acknowledged “ad hoc freight trains also use the line and there is no process for emergency services to phone ahead”.

Starbeck signallers, she added, will delay lowering the barriers when possible “if they do see an emergency vehicle approaching reasonably close to the crossing” but “once the barriers are down the signaller must wait for the train to pass before they can raise the barrier”.

The proposed closure of Bogs Lane and Kingsley Road to through traffic would only add to the traffic at the crossing, she said, adding:

“Network Rail also noted that the traffic flow is at saturation point now and appreciates that the closure of the nearby road is not going to help this or the emergency services.”

‘The difference between life and death’

Pat Marsh, a Liberal Democrat borough and county councillor who raised concerns about Starbeck level crossing with Ms Metcalfe last year, said she was “greatly saddened by the response”, adding:

“I am really worried about the hold-ups that are happening at Starbeck crossing.

“I personally have seen ambulances waiting five minutes for the barriers to lift, this can be the difference between life and death.

“We need everyone round the table ASAP to discuss this very serious issue to ensure the safety of our local residents. People who really know and understand the issues.”

Paul Haslam, a Conservative borough and county councillor, said:

“The critical issue for me is that Network Rail update the technology at the Starbeck crossing so that the barriers are down for significantly less time which improves traffic flow, reduces idling and makes access easier should we have the misfortune to need the emergency services.

“I have lobbied together with [Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough] Andrew Jones on this for a number of years. It needs fixing! The more voices shouting for this change the better.”

The Stray Ferret asked Ms Metcalfe’s office whether the information about Starbeck crossing was checked and whether she would consider reviewing her decision or agreeing to Cllr Marsh’s request for an urgent meeting but it did not respond.

Chimney fire at Boar’s Head in Ripley

Firefighters were called to Ripley this morning to deal with a chimney fire at the Boar’s Head.

A fire was lit at the inn, which has 23 bedrooms, at 7.30am and began billowing smoke shortly afterwards.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was summoned at about 8am and the incident was quickly under control. There was no damage to the wider building.

March 9 2023

Three fire engines, including the aerial ladder platform, attended.

The inn, which has a bar, snug and dining room, is part of the Ripley Castle estate.

Harrogate Fire Station used the incident to issue a reminder about the importance of regular chimney sweeping.

A good reminder to have your chimneys swept regularly. You can find your local chimney sweep on the following website https://t.co/gia2RKRdyR

— Harrogate Fire station (@Harrogate_NYFRS) March 9, 2023

Four crews deal with barn fire in village near Harrogate

A dramatic photo released by Harrogate Fire Station shows the extent of the damage done in a barn fire near Huby yesterday.

Fire crews from Harrogate and Knaresborough joined two more appliances from West Yorkshire to tackle the fire at about 2pm.

It took place in a barn measuring around 25 metres by 25 metres, containing straw. Firefighters used hose reel jets to put the fire out.

Once the scene was safe, they also took the opportunity to meet a few of the farm’s occupants.

A firefighter makes friends with a cow after putting out a nearby barn fire. Photo: Harrogate Fire Station.

Chemical causes stink in Harrogate street

Firefighters were called to investigate a foul smell on a Harrogate street last night.

Crews from Harrogate were called to Robert Street at 9.50pm last night following reports of a chemical smell in a property.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log said:

“This was found to be possibly paint thinner that had been poured into the drains.

“The smell was affecting more than one property on the street.

“Crews gave advice and the Environment Agency was informed.”

Commissioner ‘confident’ over North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue improvement

North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has said the county’s fire brigade has undergone “significant improvements and progress” after being heavily criticised by inspectors.

Conservative commissioner Zoe Metcalfe has issued an upbeat and optimistic response to the criticism by the watchdog that monitors her performance, saying she was confident that, together with the force’s “inspirational” new senior leadership team, about guiding the service into “a strong and sustainable future”.

Her comments to the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel come three weeks after His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services released a mixed report, which concluded the brigade required “urgent improvements”.

Inspectors praised its prevention work, but said it required improvement at effectively keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks.

They also rated it ‘inadequate’ at efficiently keeping people safe and secure from fire and other risks and ‘inadequate’ at looking after its people.

Despite increasing collaboration, such as sharing buildings, between the county’s fire and police services being trumpeted by successive commissioners as being of significant benefit, inspectors said there was “little evidence to show its benefits to the service”.

City of York Council leader Cllr Keith Aspden told a meeting of the panel at County Hall in Northallerton that the inspection report did not make happy reading when compared to those for other brigades around the country.

He said many of the issues facing the service had been known for several years and asked for an explanation as to how the brigade had been allowed to deteriorate.

Reform ‘has not been fast enough’

Jonathan Dyson, chief fire officer, said reform of the service had not been fast or deep enough in North Yorkshire, where in other forces numerous fire stations had been closed, freeing up resources for efficiencies.

He said the situation the brigade was in was a reflection of the organisation’s leadership and the service had stood still over how it applied resources to risks.

Panel member Cllr Tim Grogan said while the issues had developed at the brigade before the commissioner or chief fire officer were in post, the service appeared to be on “a downward spiral”.

Referring to the report’s ratings the Conservative said:

“Three years ago we got a B and two Cs and now we’ve got a C and two Ds.”

Mr Dyson responded saying government inspectors themselves had recently advised that fire services should not look at the grades they were given, but “the narrative behind” instead and that the inspections had become tougher over time.

He said:

“But of course press and everybody else only see when you open your newspaper that one word. You don’t take the two hours to read through as the public would in that context. And that can be misleading because the context, ultimately is the grade.”

Mr Dyson said the service was under no illusion that there was significant work to do to bring it up to standard.

Mrs Metcalfe said every penny of the public’s money was being spent wisely, and that she would continue to “make the case for fairer funding” to the government.

She said:

“I can assure the panel that the communities of North Yorkshire and York can be confident and that should they require their fire and rescue service in an emergency that the right people and support will come.”

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Man’s hand burned

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‘The difference between life and death’

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Reform ‘has not been fast enough’