Firefighters contain Fire in their Station

Firefighters are tackling a fire in Tobermory Community Fire Station, on the Island of Mull.

20:59

Firefighters are currently tackling a fire in the roofspace of Tobermory Community Fire Station on the island of Mull.

The fire was detected at 6.30pm tonight by one of the crew commanders based at the two-pump Retained station. The crew commander and his colleagues quickly moved the pumps out of the appliance bay and then used them to tackle the fire which appears to have originated in the ceiling space of the lecture room.

After the fire was detected, arrangements were quickly made to move the fire appliance from the neighbouring Craignure Volunteer fire station, to Tobermory to provide fire cover for the town. 

As at 20.45, the fire is under control. Firefighters are using a thermal imaging camera to look for hot spots and are cutting back the ceiling to extinguish any residual fire. Power has been restored to the station but its telephones are still out of action. We stress, however, that it is business as usual where fire cover for Mull is concerned. Tonight's incident has not reduce our ability to tackle fires and other emergencies on the island. 

Strathclyde Fire & Rescue congratulates the Tobermory firefighters for the way that they have tackled and contained the fire. This serves to remind everyone that fires can start anywhere - even in fire stations! 

Strathclyde Fire & Rescue would like to take advantage of tonight's unfortunate occurrence to remind the public of the need to guard themselves and their families against the risk of fire - particularly in the run up to Bonfire Night. 

For fire safety advice please go to our website www.strathclydefire.org. For a free Home Fire Safety Visit please phone Strathclyde Fire & Rescue on freephone 0800 0731 999

There is no further information at this time.

UPDATE AT 21:52

The fire that broke out this evening at Tobermory Community Fire Station on the Isle of Mull has now been extinguished by the station's Retained firefighters. 

The station's two fire pumps are now back in the engine bay ready to attend future incidents. The only part of the station's operating ability affected by the fire is the lecture room used for training. This facility will be restored as soon as possible. 

A small part of the roof was broken through by firefighters cutting out smouldering timber.

 Paul Connelly, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue's Area Commander for Argyll & Bute, said: "I'd like to congratulate the Tobermory firefighters for the speedy and efficient way in which they dealt with the fire. 

"I'd like to repeat an earlier reminder from Strathclyde Fire & Rescue that this is a warning to all of us that fire can start anywhere. We are only too happy to provide free fire safety advice to prevent the kind of incident that we ourselves experienced at Tobermory."