Crews deal with Brighton fire and crash during firefighters’ strike

Crews tackled a blaze and cut someone free from the wreckage of a crash in Brighton during the firefighters’ strike yesterday (Friday 2 May).

The fire service said: “East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service crews, made up of contingency fire crews, prioritised life threatening emergencies.”

During the five-hour stoppage on Friday – from noon to 5pm – the working crews turned out to a crash where a lorry and car had collided in Leahurst Court Road in Withdean, Brighton.

They were called shortly before 12.50pm, the fire service said, adding: “One person was trapped and cut free from the wreckage using hydraulic cutting equipment.”

And shortly before 4.30pm they had another call-out – this time to a fire in Coldean.

The fire service said: “Crews attended a van fire in Reeves Hill, Brighton. Crews tackled the blaze wearing breathing apparatus and used 1-in-7 foam.”

The second of three strikes over the bank holiday weekend is due to end at 2am tomorrow (Sunday 4 May).

And from 10am to 3pm tomorrow (Sunday) there will be another five-hour stoppage.

The strike has been called by the Fire Brigades Union in a national dispute with the government over changes to fire service pensions.