Contingency crew tackles grass fire during strike action

Firefighters were called to a grass fire in wasteland off Marlborough Road in Maidenhead on New Year's Eve.

The call came during the strikes which took place between 6.30pm on December 31 and 12.30am on January 1.

A contingency crew were called to the fire shortly after 8.30pm and one firefighter used a hose reel to put out the flames, which are believed to have been caused by a small fire work.

During the strike action Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service had 10 contingency fire engines available and three calls were received, all of which needed attending.

Andy Mancey, Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said: “I would like to thank members of the public for helping us by not making unnecessary 999 calls and for following safety advice.

"We hope that they will again take extra care on Friday morning between 06.30 and 08.30 during the next period of industrial action.”