Storm Imogen prompts firefighter safety warning

A spokesman for the service, which has been inundated with calls today, said: “During extreme weather, we prioritise calls where lives may be at risk through a risk of fire or other emergencies.

“For example, when flood water is affecting electrics in buildings, where a building or structure has become dangerous to passers-by or when there has been a road traffic collision.

“Where lives are not at immediate risk, a number of other organisations may be better placed to help.

“It is also important to take preventative measures and should know who to call if they see things like blocked drains.”

Advice and information about winter weather, flooding and who best to call can be found on the fire service website: www.esfrs.org/communitySafety/advice/.shtml.

Some of the weather-related incidents attended by East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service today include:

11:39: Firefighters attended a reported dangerous structure of a sign over the road in South Coast Road, Peacehaven.

13:01: East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service attended Windlesham Court, Mile Oak, Portslade, following reports of an unstable wall.

13:04: Firefighters were called to Windlesham Close, Portslade, following reports of a wall collapse.

13:43: Attended a property in North Street, Brighton, following reports of a dangerous structure.

13.59: Dangerous structure attended by fire service in Steyning Avenue, Peacehaven.

14.17: Firefighters attended Upperton Lane, Eastbourne, following reports of loose boards at Elim Church.

14:30: An emergency crew were mobilised following reports of a tree on a car in Marley Lane, Battle.

14.34: Firefighters attended an incident involving a dangerous structure, namely felt, in Courtenay Terrace, Hove.

14:58: Firefighters were sent to Pevensey Road, Brighton, to make the area safe after reports of a dangerous structure of a window 3ft by 4ft.

15:14: Firefighters sent to Italian Way, Marina, Bexhill, following reports of tiles from roof. A crew was mobilised to make the area safe.

15:17: East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was mobilised to North Street, Portslade, following reports of a dangerous structure, namely metal sheeting.

15:18: A leaning chimney was reported to East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and a crew was mobilised to the dangerous structure in Birch Road Industrial Estate, Lottbridge, Eastbourne, to investigate and make the area safe.

15:22: The aerial ladder platform was called upon following reports of an unstable chimney at a property in East Street, Lewes.

15:39: Firefighters were sent to Mill Drive, in Hove, following reports of unstable tiles from roof.

16:05: A dangerous structure, namely a TV aerial, was reported to East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service. Firefighters were sent to Hood Close, Langney Point, Eastbourne.

16:06: Metal sheeting was reported to fire crews situated at Polegate Petrol Station, Hailsham Road, Eastbourne. Firefighters attended and made the area safe.

16:11: A wall was reported to have collapsed in Terminus Road, Eastbourne, as the incident was attended to by firefighters.

16:19: Residents are being warned to tether their trampoline as one was located in a dangerous position in Porthall Street, Brighton.

16:28: Cladding on a roof was reported to East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service as being in a dangerous position at a property in Newtown Road, Hove. A crew attended to make the area safe.

16:29: East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service attended an incident in the High Street, Pevensey, after reports of a wall collapsing.

16:32: A dangerous structure was reported to East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service on the roof of a building in Saint Andrews Drive, Bishopstone.

16:48: Wood was reported coming loose from the roof of a building in Devonshire Road, Bexhill. This incident was attended by East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.

16:54: A dangerous structure at East Beach Street, Old Town Hastings, was reported to East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.

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