Smoke Alert in Ryde Sparks Fire Crew Rush
Firefighters raced to Ryde on the Isle of Wight last night after thick smoke was spotted billowing into the sky just before 9pm on Wednesday, May 23.
The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Team were quickly alerted by a member of the public. But their arrival hit a snag when badly parked cars blocked the fire engine’s path. Locals had to move their vehicles to give the crew clear access to tackle the blaze.
Controlled Burns Cost Fire Service £40K Annually
The fire service is urging people to report controlled burnings properly before they ignite panic. False alarms from unmanaged fires are driving up emergency call-outs and costs.
An insider revealed that Isle of Wight firefighters attend around a dozen controlled burns every month. From March to April alone, they were called out 13 times for these incidents.
Calls for Public to Play It Safe
Each fire truck response costs roughly £280. That adds up to a staggering £3,360 a month, racking up to more than £40,000 annually in wasted resources.
“Crews are being called out to more than 12 controlled burns every month,” said a fire service source. “We need the public’s help to avoid unnecessary call-outs and keep costs down.”
Firefighters warn that careless or unreported controlled fires not only waste money but put lives and properties at risk. The message is clear: if you’re burning off, let the fire service know first.
