Fire exercise on K&A

WITH the ever increasing number of boat fires on the waterways, many fire services are carrying out rescue procedures on the canals, with the one tomorrow (Sunday) being the latest.

This will be at Horton near Devizes on the Kennet & Avon Canal by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, that with the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust will carry out an exercise to test procedures for a fire, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Passenger boat

For the purpose, one of the Trust's passenger boats will be used in a 'live' test that will be carrying people, with the  scenario being that the passengers will experience a severe fire whilst cruising.

Other authorities will take part including Wiltshire Police and South Western Ambulance Service.

Review emergency plans

It was the Trust wanting to review its emergency plans that brought this all about and to understand what was needed in the case of an emergency.

A spokesman for the fire service told that in view of the number of boats now on the Kennet & Avon Canal, that stretch of water is seen as high risk and there had been a number of boat fires over the years.