Fire station closures criticised

Plans to axe four fire stations run by Humberside Fire Authority have been criticised by union chiefs who say the move could cost lives.

The authority is aiming to close Hull's central station as well as retained stations in Sledmere, Waltham and Kirton Lindsey by 2009.

Ian Murray, from the Fire Brigades Union, said a meeting would be held with members later.

Fire chiefs said the shake-up followed research of the authority's operations.

Consultation period

Mr Murray said: "Any delay in a fire appliance attending an incident has a massive impact on the vital minutes. If we get there early we can save lives.

"These cuts will add extra minutes on these attendance times. We don't believe any price should be put on a person's life."

A consultation period about the plans will start in January.

Humberside chief fire officer Frank Duffield said: "My position is to assure [people] that our strap line for safer communities and safer firefighters is at the heart of this.

"I wouldn't be putting proposals forward if they indeed they were going to jeopardise people's lives."