Few fires for north army crews

Firefighters spent two nights on the picket line

Green Goddess crews in north-east England and Cumbria had a quiet night as the latest 48-hour strike drew to a close.

Firefighters returned to work at 0900 on Thursday after the fourth stoppage in a dispute over pay and reforms.

A fire in an east Durham warehouse was the most serious emergency in the second night of the stoppage.

The fire in a furniture storage facility on the Old Pit Bath Industrial Estate, in Shotton Colliery, was attended by two Green Goddesses and one red goddess.

Home destroyed

The blaze was controlled within 40 minutes, but one appliance had to return after strong winds reiginited the fire on the roof.

In the Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Cleveland areas, crews did not deal with any serious incidents throughout the stoppage.

In Cumbria, army crews covering for striking firefighters were called to a house fire in Workington at 0330 GMT on Thursday.

The home was totally destroyed, but no-one was injured.

Smoke inhalation

Members of the Royal Dragoon Guards said it was the biggest fire they have had to deal with so far.

At first it was thought people might have been inside the property on Senhouse Terrace, but this proved not to be the case.

A dog was rescued and treated for smoke inhalation.

It was the first time army crews in Workington have had to use the modern red engine.