First in support

They made it to Friary Fields Care Home in Friary Road ahead of colleagues from Southwell who were also called to assist Newark’s two full-time appliances.

Although the fire was not serious and was confined to a tumble drier in the cellar, the potential for a serious incident to have developed, in a multi-occupancy building, was evident.

With smoke rising up the stairs firefighters helped evacuate the premises and, thankfully, no one needed hospital treatment.

Collingham Fire Station is one of three retained stations in Nottinghamshire earmarked for closure. The others are at Edwinstowe and Warsop. A total of 100 retained firefighters could go.

The Collingham watch manager, Mr Warren Shaw, points out that if they were no longer available extra support for Newark would have to come from Tuxford or Bingham.

From either location, of course, help would take longer to arrive because of the extra distance involved.

“We don’t just cover our area, we’re back-up to Newark as well,” says Mr Shaw.

The fire service refutes the claim the closure of Collingham would leave the town and surrounding area short of cover.

But the fact that it was Collingham that provided the initial back-up at Friary Fields is a clear example of the vital role they currently play in this area’s firefighting provision.