A Cumbrian fire station has reopened 12 months after a blaze tore through the upper floor of the building.
Lazonby Fire Station was officially reopened yesterday, Wednesday February 26, with on-call firefighters, CFRS staff, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen and Chief Fire Officer, Paul Hancock attending.
King’s Coronation medals were also presented to on-call firefighters.
No one was hurt in the initial fire, believed to be caused by an electrical fault. The blaze was extinguished by crew on the scene and no damage was caused to the fire engine.
After the fire, Bells of Lazonby allowed Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service to keep the fire engine on its premises to ensure that the on-call firefighters could continue to serve the community while work was being completed to fix and improve the station.
Temporary crew manager Claire Dickinson and firefighter David Ivinson, who also work at Bells of Lazonby, represented the bakery at the event.
They received a certificate of thanks from the Chief Fire Officer and a mounted presentation fire service axe from Mr Allen.
Mr Allen said: “Local fire stations are vital in keeping our communities safe – especially in counties such as Cumbria where the geography is so vast and rural.
“Following the fire, the community rallied around and provided support to Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, especially Bells of Lazonby. This support allowed our on-call firefighters to continue to keep Lazonby and the surrounding areas safe while improvements were made to the station.
“This night is all about celebrating those who keep our community safe – Cumbria is full of tight-knit communities that look after one another and I’m incredibly proud to represent them as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
“I also want to say ‘well done’ to those who received a King’s Coronation medal – they are well deserved.”
Head of response at Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Brian Massie, said: “Thanking our on-call firefighters is so important to us as an organisation.
“Our service is built around communities – with our staff and crews to providing the public with an emergency service in their time of need, its essential that we celebrate this
“Without our on-call firefighters, CFRS would not be able to deliver the service we do so I am so thankful to not only the on-call firefighters but also to their families and employers that support them to help keep everyone safe.
“In the upcoming months, we will be holding an open day at Lazonby Station for the community to have a look at the station and talk to the crews about their roles.”
