Two teenagers have been arrested following six deliberate bin fires in Harrogate town centre last night.
Fire crews were called to multiple blazes involving commercial bins behind retail units, which tied up the service for two hours.
Both fire engines attended — something that won’t be possible if proposed cuts to overnight services go ahead.
Crews were called at 8.17pm last night to reports of a fire on Cambridge Street in the town centre.
Firefighters said the blaze was started deliberately by youths.
The fire was put out using hose reel jets and crews left the incident with North Yorkshire Police.
A statement from Harrogate fire station on its Facebook page said:
“Both Harrogate fire appliances were tied up for two hours last night in Harrogate.
“Crews dealt with six separate large commercial bin fires at the back of retail premises which potentially could have spread to buildings.
“Police were notified and multiple arrests took place. These unnecessary fires tie up our resources taking us away from us other incidents.”
North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe, is currently considering plans to reduce the number of appliances at Harrogate Fire Station to one at night.
This morning, North Yorkshire Police confirmed two boys, aged 17 and 14, were arrested on suspicion of arson. They have since been released under investigation.
A statement from the force added:
“Police are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote reference number 12220090536.”
Harrogate firefighters have dealt with a spate of bin fires in Harrogate town centre this week.
On Wednesday, they responded to reports of a bin fire on Bower Street under the railway track at 8.11pm. The cause is unknown.
Read more:
- Three bins in Harrogate set alight deliberately last night
- Harrogate set to have just one fire engine at night
Crews responded to deliberate blazes on both Cambridge Street and Oxford Street on Monday evening.
The fire on Oxford Street was started in a bin close to commercial buildings.
A spokesman for Harrogate fire station said they believed the fires were deliberately started by the same people and have informed the police.
Fire ravages former dairy in Harrogate districtA log burning stove is believed to have caused a fire at a former dairy building in the Harrogate district.
Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough were called to the building at North Rigton at 4.45pm yesterday.
Harrogate fire station said in a social media post last night:
“Crews extinguished the fire using breathing apparatus, hose reel jets, thermal imaging camera, Harrogate’s aerial ladder platform and Tadcaster’s Water Bowser.
“Fire was believed to be caused by a log burning stove.”
More pictures from the scene taken by Harrogate firefighters
Read more:
- Five Harrogate firefighters could lose jobs in plans to reduce service
- Dog trying to eat sausages causes Harrogate house fire
A Harrogate kitchen caught fire yesterday when a dog jumped up to grab some sausages and set a tea towel alight.
Harrogate firefighters were called to Meadow Place in Starbeck shortly before 4pm following reports of fire.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log says:
“The fire started when the dog of the house attempted to jump up on a kitchen bench to snaffle some sausages and knocked a tea towel onto onto a hob that had just been turned off.”
The incident log adds that the smouldering tea towel caused smoke damage to the kitchen but it is not believed any people — or dogs — were injured in the blaze.
Read more:
- Harrogate set to have just one fire engine at night
- Harrogate district schools get in jubilee spirit
Harrogate set to have just one fire engine at night
Harrogate fire station’s overnight capacity looks set to be halved under new proposals.
The station, on Skipton Road, currently operates two fire engines 24 hours a day. But under plans put forward today, it would have just one appliance from 10pm to 9am when fewer incidents usually occur.
North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe has suggested the move as part of a three-month consultation on proposed changes to fire and rescue services, which she launched today.
Ms Metcalfe wants to get rid of the station’s tactical response vehicle and have two emergency appliances instead. But only one emergency appliance would operate at non-peak hours overnight.
If approved, the move could result in some Harrogate firefighters facing redeployment elsewhere in the county.
Zoe Metcalfe, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
Ms Metcalfe’s new Risk and Resource Model 2022-2025, which sets out how the fire service would deploy its people, equipment and resource, comes against a worrying financial backdrop.
‘Struggling to buy the basics’
Three months ago the Fire Brigades Union warned North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was “struggling to buy the basics” and in need of a £25 million loan.
Ms Metcalfe, who will discuss her proposals at her monthly public accountability meeting tomorrow, said in a statement:
“The role of a fire and rescue service has changed and continues to change, with only 26% of our incidents last year relating to a fire emergency.
“We want to ensure we are addressing our current and future challenges and that we have the capacity to prevent and protect to stop incidents happening in the first place and prevent harm before it can take place, while also having the capacity to respond to emergencies when they do take place. We are confident these proposals would do that.
“Inevitably, there are some areas where the setup of the service would change but I’m confident the right people, right equipment and the right support would continue to be available to everyone.”
The proposed change in Harrogate.
Ms Metcalfe’s office said in a statement today that there was a higher demand for services during daytime hours than at night, and the proposed change in Harrogate would offer “increased ability to respond during daytime hours, as well as boost resilience more widely”.
Read more:
- Masham Police House to be sold as officers relocate to fire station
- Jennyfields has Harrogate’s noisiest neighbours
However, it declined to answer questions from the Stray Ferret about how many firefighters faced redeployment, saying Ms Metcalfe would address questions in tomorrow’s meeting.
Ms Metcalfe will hold 12 events in North Yorkshire to discuss the proposals, including one in Harrogate, as well as running an online questionnaire.
Chief fire officer Jon Foster said:
“The risk and resource model would support the transformation of our fire and rescue service and enable a greater focus on prevention that is underlined by our assessment of community risk. It would also facilitate increased investment in our on-call service.”
The Stray Ferret has approached the Fire Brigades Union for comment.
Multiple vehicle crash on A1 at Allerton ParkEmergency services were called out shortly after midnight last night to reports of a car crash on the A1 in the Harrogate district.
Two people needed treatment from ambulance crews at the scene following the incident, which happened on the northbound carriageway at junction 47.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log says firefighters from Knaresborough and Harrogate attended a “multi-vehicle road traffic collision”. It adds:
“On arrival crews found that no persons were trapped. Two walking wounded casualties with minor injuries were left in the care of police and ambulance crews.
“Crews made the scene safe and carried out a thorough search of the embankment for further casualties. Incident left in the hands of police.”
Read more:
- Man seriously injured in crash on Harrogate’s Leeds Road
- ‘Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!’ Knaresborough’s town crier ready for special jubilee weekend
Man seriously injured in crash on Harrogate’s Leeds Road
Three people had to be freed from their vehicles after a two-car collision on Leeds Road between Pannal and Harrogate last night.
One man was taken to hospital in an ambulance after the smash, which led to the road being closed.
It is now known how bad his injuries are.
According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, three people were out of the vehicles when they were called at about 9pm.
Read more:
A further three people needed help to escape.
Firefighters used cutting gear and other tools to release them.
North Yorkshire Police tweeted about the road closure last night.
⚠️Road closure in Harrogate. Emergency services are at the scene of a serious collision on the A61, Leeds Road, between Pannal and Harrogate. The road is closed with diversions in place. Motorists are advised to avoid the area at this time. pic.twitter.com/ppGakP1SK2
— North Yorkshire Police (@NYorksPolice) May 16, 2022
They issued further details today, saying the collision occurred at 7.36pm and involved a red Volkswagen Golf and a black Range Rover.
“The Golf was travelling from Harrogate towards Pannal and the Range Rover was travelling from the Pannal direction towards Harrogate.
“The sole occupant of the Golf was taken to hospital with serious, potentially life changing injuries.
“The five occupants of the Range Rover were also taken to hospital with injuries.
“Road closures were put in place for around six hours while emergency crews attended the scene and an initial investigation was carried out.”
Witnesses can email Paul.Buckley@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Paul Buckley.
Crane catches fire on Harrogate’s Leeds RoadA crane caught fire on the busy Leeds Road in Harrogate this afternoon.
Two crews from Harrogate fire station were summoned to deal with the incident at 3.54pm.
Fortunately the fire was already out by the time they arrived thanks to the crane driver using an extinguisher.
The fire station said in a social media post:
“An extinguisher had been used prior to arrival and crews used a hose reel to cool the overheated wheel bearings.”
Read more:
- Chimney fire warning after blaze in Scotton
- Harrogate commuters frustrated as early trains axed today
A fire station spokesperson said the incident occurred at the Stone Crop Lane junction on Leeds Road.
Police directed traffic but the road remained open.
At 15:54 on Leeds Road, Harrogate, two crews from Harrogate attended a report of a crane on fire, an extinguisher had been used prior to arrival and crews used a hose reel to cool the overheated wheel bearings pic.twitter.com/f0rne18T8Z
— Harrogate Fire station (@Harrogate_NYFRS) May 16, 2022
Car flips on roof after swerving to avoid deer on A1 in Harrogate district
A car flipped on to its roof when it swerved to avoid a deer on the A1 near Boroughbridge in the early hours of the morning.
According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the vehicle left the road and one person was stuck inside.
Its incident log says firefighters used “stabilisation and extrication gear” to free the trapped person.
Harrogate fire station said this morning that one female was out of the vehicle when firefighters arrived and another female was trapped inside. Both are believed to be unharmed after the second female was freed.
The incident, which occurred at about 2.30am, was one of two serious traffic accidents logged in the Harrogate district last night.
At 9.40pm, Ripon firefighters were called when a car collided with a house on Kingston Avenue in the city.
The incident log says:
“No people were trapped, one male occupant of car was treated for a minor ankle injury by paramedics.
“Crews assisted ambulance and police at the scene and gave advice.”
Read more:
- Sid Hawke to be Ripon’s next mayor
- Parents describe ‘chaotic’ morning after Boroughbridge school bus cut
Jonathan Dyson set to be North Yorkshire’s new chief fire officer
North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has selected her preferred candidate to be the county’s chief fire officer.
Zoe Metcalfe has chosen Jonathan Dyson for the role. Mr Dyson is currently the interim deputy chief fire officer at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Jon Foster, who is the current interim chief fire officer, will retire from the service after 38 years.
Mr Dyson started his career in South Yorkshire, where he held roles as head of training and head of service delivery.
He joined the North Yorkshire service in 2020 as director of assurance, leading and delivering organisational change, and was appointed interim deputy chief fire officer last year.
Read more:
Mr Dyson will be recommended to the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel for appointment.
Ms Metcalfe said:
“I’m delighted to choose Jonathan Dyson as my preferred candidate for the role of chief fire officer, who I believe will be excellent at leading the service into the future and continue to keep people safe and feeling safe in North Yorkshire and York.
“Having worked within our service for the past two years, and most recently as interim deputy chief fire officer, Jonathan is someone who knows our community, has the respect of his colleagues, and is committed to creating an even stronger and more sustainable service.
“I look forward to Jonathan’s suitability being approved at the upcoming Police, Fire and Crime Panel’s confirmation hearing later this month, and from there working with him to deliver a modern, inclusive, responsive, and respected organisation that protects people and property, and saves lives.”
Mr Dyson said:
Chip pan fire decimates Harrogate home“I feel truly honoured to be the preferred candidate for the role of chief fire officer and privileged to continue serving the public of North Yorkshire and York. I will build on the outstanding contribution Jon Foster has made on behalf of the Service, and I wish him the very best on his next venture.
“I want to ensure North Yorkshire remains one of the safest places in the country to live, work, or visit. My desire is to continue building an inclusive, sustainable organisation by transforming our service delivery. A key priority is to develop our partnerships, ensuring our staff, volunteers and partners feel valued and able to be their very best for our communities.”
A Harrogate home was severely damaged when an unattended chip pan caught fire last night.
Firefighters used a door breaker tool to get into the home, which is in the Coppice area, at about 6.20pm.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log does not say whether anyone was hurt.
Harrogate and Knaresborough firefighters responded to the call. The incident log says:
“This was a fire to a chip pan that had been left unattended.
“This caused 70% smoke damage throughout the property.
“Crews used a door breaker to enter the property and extinguished the fire using a hose reel jet and a 45mm hose.”
Read more:
- Chimney fire warning after blaze in Scotton
- Harrogate’s Coach & Horses pub set to reopen in early July