Commissioner chooses preferred chief fire officer candidate

North Yorkshire’s police, fire and crime commissioner has selected his preferred candidate to be interim chief fire officer.

Philip Allott has chosen Jon Foster, who is currently deputy chief fire officer for the county, for the position.

It follows current chief fire officer, Andrew Brodie, announcing his retirement from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue this summer.

Mr Foster started his career at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service in 1983 as an on-call firefighter at Boroughbridge.  

He pursued his ambition to join as a wholetime firefighter in 1994 and has since worked in a wide range of roles across the county, before being made deputy chief fire officer in September 2019.

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Mr Foster will be recommended to the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel to be approved for the role next month.

Mr Allott said:

“Our communities are some of the safest places to live in the country and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service plays a hugely important role in ensuring that continues. It was important to select the best person to lead the team, and I am delighted to recommend Jon Foster for that role over the next 12 months.

“As the current deputy chief fire officer, and having worked within the service for the past 38 years, Jon is someone who knows North Yorkshire and York inside out. He has the respect of colleagues and the commitment to continue the work to create an even stronger and sustainable service.

“Resources are always constrained, but I was impressed by Jon’s commitment to innovation in response and preventative practices, and his desire to ensure we have an emergency service which reflects the communities they serve.

“Subject to the panel’s approval of Jon’s suitability at their confirmation hearing, I look forward to working with him to deliver a modern, reactive and respected organisation that protects people and property, and saves lives.”

Mr Foster said:

“I am delighted to be afforded the opportunity to serve the public of North Yorkshire as interim chief fire officer.

“I started my fire service career in 1983 at Boroughbridge as a retained firefighter and feel immensely privileged to be the preferred candidate to lead the service about which I am passionate. I look forward to addressing the panel later this month. With their approval, I will look forward to working alongside the commissioner to deliver a high-quality service to the public.”

If approved by the panel, Mr Foster will take up the role on July 22.

Firefighters battle outbuildings blaze near Follifoot

Firefighters battled a blaze at a group of outbuildings near Follifoot this afternoon.

Six crews were called out for the fire on Haggs Road at 2.15pm and had managed to put it out by around 6pm today.

The firefighters were from stations in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Wetherby, Ripon, Tadcaster and Acomb.

Fire investigators are still on scene trying to put the picture together of how the blaze took hold.

The crews found that a skip filled with cylinders had caught fire, which then spread to nearby buildings.

The Stray Ferret has asked North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue for more information, but we have received no reply by the time of writing.

It’s currently unclear what caused the fire or if anybody was injured.

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Fire crews tackle house fire in North Rigton

Fire crews were called out to tackle a house fire in North Rigton this morning.

Firefighters were called to the property on Church Hill just before 7am. Two crews from Harrogate and Knaresborough tackled the blaze.

Tony Peel, station manager at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, said crews found the ground floor of the house on fire.

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He said:

“Two crews were mobilised from Harrogate and Knaresborough.

“On arrival they found the ground floor of a semi-detached property well alight. Everybody was out of the property at the time.

“Crews deployed into the property have extinguished the fire.”

An investigation into the fire is ongoing.

Fire crews battle two deliberate blazes in Knaresborough woods

Fire crews were summoned twice in half an hour last night to two deliberate fires in the woods in Knaresborough.

The callouts were part of a busy night in the Harrogate district for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, which also attended two incidents in Harrogate.

The first woodland fire occurred at 6.55pm when bracken and tree branches were set alight at the bottom of Nidd Bank cul-de-sac, close to the River Nidd.

Less than half an hour later more branches were set ablaze on the other side of the river, opposite Conyngham Hall.

A crew from Knaresborough extinguished both fires using water backpacks.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said:

“We can’t say for certain but it looks like the two fires were caused deliberately.”

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Crews from Harrogate and Knaresborough were then called to reports of a dishwasher emitting sparks in Rutland Road, Harrogate shortly after 11pm.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s incident summary says:

“The occupier of the property used a dry powder extinguisher before fire crews arrived.

“Crews disconnected the appliance from the mains and checked it over as well as giving advice. They used a thermal imaging camera only.

“The cause is believed to be an electrical fault.”

At 2.39am this morning, two crews from Harrogate and Knaresborough attended a small bag of rubbish set on fire in flats on Robert Street. A security guard had put out the flames by the time they arrived.

Police were also called to the scene.

Fire service investigates cause of Starbeck home blaze

The fire service has launched an investigation into the cause of a blaze which devastated a house in Starbeck last night.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, North Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service attended the fire on Avenue Grove at around 8pm.

When crews arrived they found that the fire started in a bedroom on the first floor but had quickly spread to much of the first floor. Nobody was in the house on arrival.

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It also caused smoke damage to the ground floor and neighbouring homes. Two people required treatment for smoke inhilation.

The homeowner told the Stray Ferret last night that the fire started in her son’s bedroom while she was downstairs celebrating her birthday. She said she did not know what caused the fire.

Crews used breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets, 45mm jet, delta lance, triple extension ladder, lighting and thermal imaging camera to put out the fire.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue attended last night.

They evacuated neighbouring properties, cordoned off the area and advised people to avoid the area while they were dealing with the incident.

Now North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has confirmed that it is investigating the cause of the fire.

Neville Scott, red watch manager at Harrogate fire station, told the Stray Ferret last night that:

“It had the potential to be a very serious incident and spread to other properties because it was a terraced house.

“But the firefighters were able to prevent that.”

The home had a smoke alarm and the fire service said it was a reminder of how important it is to have a working fire alarm in all homes.

Starbeck home owner ‘absolutely devastated’ after fire

A woman in Starbeck says she is “absolutely devastated” after a serious fire at her home tonight.

Crews using breathing apparatus from Harrogate, Ripon, Knaresborough and Boroughbridge, plus an aerial appliance from Huntington, near York, battled the blaze in Avenue Grove, which broke out at about 8.20pm tonight.
Two people required treated for smoke inhalation.

The owner of the house, who did not wish to be named, told the Stray Ferret the fire started in her son’s bedroom while she was downstairs celebrating her birthday.

She said she didn’t know how it started but she was “absolutely devastated”.

The house had only recently been redecorated.

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Neville Scott, red watch manager at Harrogate fire station, said:

“It had the potential to be a very serious incident and spread to other properties because it was a terraced house.

“But the firefighters were able to prevent that.”

The home had a smoke alarm and the fire service said it was a reminder of how important it is to have a working fire alarm in all homes.
Houses either side were evacuated but the inhabitants have now been allowed to return.
The road was blocked off and people advised to avoid the area.

 

Homes evacuated in Starbeck due to fire

Homes have been evacuated in Starbeck as firefighters battle a blaze that broke out this evening.

Two people are being treated for smoke inhalation but there are no reports of any further injuries at this time.

The fire, in Avenue Grove, was reported to North Yorkshire Police at about 8.20pm tonight.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Yorkshire Ambulance Service are in attendance.

The area has been cordoned off.

A police statement said:

“Members of the public are advised to avoid the area while emergency services deal with the incident.”

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Fire crews save Labrador from Nidd Gorge ravine

North Yorkshire firefighters came to the rescue of a Labrador called Henry when he fell 15 metres into a ravine at Nidd Gorge yesterday.

Henry fell from a path at the popular dog walking spot but fortunately landed on a ledge.

Henry’s owner tried to scramble to his rescue but was unable to reach him.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was summoned to help at 11.15am.

Crews from Harrogate, Ripon and Tadcaster came to his aid in the gorge woodland, to the west of Knaresborough.

Using specialist rope equipment known as a gotcha pack, a firefighter was lowered into the ravine to save the dog.

The firefighter wrapped Henry in a salvage sheet and brought him back to safety.

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Firefighters rescue Parka-wearing climber from Almscliffe Crag

Firefighters rescued a climber who got stuck up Almscliffe Crag on Saturday.

Crews from Knaresborough attended the incident on Crag Lane, North Rigton in the afternoon.

They used a ladder to help the Parka-wearing climber back to safety.

Almscliffe Crag, which is made of Millstone Grit, is a popular landmark for climbers and walkers.

A spokesperson for Knaresborough Fire Station said the person was not injured but had “a little bit of hurt pride”.

One comment on the fire station’s Facebook post accused the unnamed climber of “irresponsible behaviour” during a lockdown.

North Yorkshire Police has frequently warned people not to travel for exercise during lockdown.

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But Paul Metheringham, Knaresborough watch station manager for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, told the Stray Ferret:

“The young man was local to the area so he was not breaking any coronavirus restrictions.

“He thought he would climb up with his friend and realised that he had got himself stuck at about five metres up.

“Luckily no injuries, just a little bit of hurt pride and hopefully a lesson learned.”

 

Villagers left devastated after fire at Coneythorpe pub

Neighbours have been left devastated after a fire at a much-loved community pub in Coneythorpe last night.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue were called to the Tiger Inn at 5.04pm after a fire broke out in the pub’s kitchen, which had only been fitted in January.

Crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb were called out to the blaze which lasted for six-hours. Firefighters used an aerial ladder platform, main jets, breathing apparatus and hose reels to tackle the incident.

Owners said the fire was accidental and that they will be aim to reopen the pub “as soon as we possibly can”.

But neighbours say they are devastated as the pub is a pillar of the community in the village.

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One resident, Carole Topham said she saw smoke coming from the building before calling the fire service.

She said:

“We saw billowing smoke at first and called the fire bridge who spent hours at the site.

“We are devastated for the owners, this is our community pub and we were looking forward to a Christmas get together.”

The damage after the fire, which broke out in the pub’s new kitchen.

Meanwhile, Karin Terry, another neighbour, said:

“The flames got bigger and bigger.

“We were very worried about a gas tank that was at the back of the building.”

The fire is a blow for the pub, which traditionally hosts a village Christmas party.

A member of the Gill family, which owns the pub, said they were “gutted” and had been looking forward to celebrating Christmas with the villagers.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“Obviously the family is devastated about it. We had 15 weeks of closed down and reopened on July 2 and was almost as busy before we went into lockdown.

“We will reopen as soon as we possibly can do. We have just been speaking to the fire fighters today, it was an accidental fire and we just want to get back to where we have been.

“We are a bit gutted this year because we do a village Christmas party where all the villagers get together. We were struggling with the lockdown and social distancing and how we were going to fit everyone in.

“There’s about 70 odd people who live in the village and they all tend to get in here, but that’s gone out of the window now. We will just see when we can get reopen better and stronger than ever.”