Update on major incident in Norfolk

With fires devastating parts of Snettisham and Brancaster Staithe plus further areas of West Norfolk, the Fire and Rescue Service has given a statement to update their response on the major incidents.

The major incident alert was due to the demand caused by several serious fire incidents related to the extreme heat.

West Norfolk Council have also commented on the way the emergency services have responded and have organised for the Alive Corn Exchange to be lit red in gratitude.

Tim Edwards, chief fire officer with Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "In response to the scale of fires we have seen over the past few days, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service has now declared a major incident.

"On Tuesday alone, the service control room received 4,688 calls we attended 280 incidents, an unprecedented level of demand.

"In the face of this demand, everyone in our service, control staff, firefighters and frontline support staff have responded incredibly, and I want to thank all of them for their efforts this week.

"A number of incidents are ongoing, and fire engines continue to damp down sites of various fires that were extinguished yesterday.

"Sadly a number of homes damaged and destroyed, where wildfires have spread to nearby buildings at various locations, and we are working with our partners in the Norfolk Resilience Forum to support the people affected.

"Our staff are always ready to serve and protect the public and we appreciate the support of our communities within Norfolk’s, understanding and kind words in recent days while we have attended several large fires.

"The best way to support our service is to stay vigilant and stay safe.

"Exercise basic fire safety precautions, don’t set fires or barbecues in areas of dried grass, be aware that discarded glass can start fires in dry conditions and stay safe in and around water."

A major incident is an event or situation with a range of serious consequences which requires special arrangements to be implemented.

For Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service the declaration of a major incident has been triggered by the sheer number of calls they are receiving.

County council leader Andrew Proctor said: "I am immensely proud of our fire fighters and the whole Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.

"They all worked extremely hard to keep people safe in incredibly challenging conditions yesterday.

"They are a real credit to this county and I cannot praise them highly enough."

Andrew Jamieson, chair of Norfolk Coast Partnership, said: "Yesterday was an awful day for both people and our precious countryside.

"Please follow the advice from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service about how to reduce the risk of fires.

"The fires have damaged large swathes of the Norfolk Coast area of outstanding natural beauty, much of it rare habitat.

"This type of event shows clearly the crucial importance of the nature recovery plans NCP is managing and how we all need to speed up our efforts against climate change."

The leader of West Norfolk Council, Stuart Dark MBE said: "The devastation caused by the several fires that occurred across west Norfolk over the last 24 hours is not yet fully known but what we do know is it has been deadly to wildlife, damaging to the environment and homes.

"But this could have been far worse.

"Our first thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by these fires, both local residents and great local businesses.

"However, severe adversity often brings out the best of us.

"We all appreciate the daily work of our fire service, police and coastguard blue light responders but even by their own high standards they have gone above and beyond on our behalf, working for many hours in the most extreme heat and dangerous conditions to limit the damage and protect life, with many crews coming from long-distances away to help.

"I think I speak for everyone locally when I say a huge heartfelt thank you.

"We have also had notable examples of individuals, communities and local businesses coming together to combat the flames and assist our responders and they all deserve high praise too.

"As one would expect, we have well-rehearsed drills for the borough to come in behind the responders and support people that have been evacuated or need temporary accommodation and sadly that action was required last night.

"I am proud of the way our officers from the emergency planning department and housing team worked into the night to provide real assistance to those who needed it.

"I have already contacted the chief fire officer in Norfolk and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Giles Orpen-Smellie, to express this gratitude on behalf of the borough and have asked the council civics team to arrange a formal reception to offer our thanks in person to those involved in this huge response, once the situation has calmed down.

"In the interim as a small prompt sign of our gratitude for the ongoing work of the fire service in particular, but also the many other support services and volunteers, we will be lighting the Alive Corn Exchange in Lynn, red this evening.

"I know they will all be very, very tired but they should be very, very proud too."

https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/like-the-apocolypse-as-village-engulfed-by-flames-9264828/