Blaze destroys fire station and fire engine

A fire station at Downham Market in Norfolk has been destroyed in a blaze. The fire engine inside was also destroyed.

Live updates

Fire station destroyed in blaze didn't have sprinklers

Downham Market Fire Station Credit: Hayley Clarke

Norfolk Fire Service has confirmed that a fire station which burned down on Tuesday morning wasn't fitted with sprinklers.

The retained station at Downham Market was destroyed along with a new vehicle inside. The damage has been estimated around two million pounds.

The county's deputy chief fire officer said the service should have followed its own advice.

The station currently has a new engine which is being kept at the police station, next door to the destroyed fire station.

Investigations into blaze which burnt down fire station

Downham Market Fire Station Credit: Kathy Mellish

Norfolk Fire Service investigations are continuing today into how one of its own stations caught fire, destroying the building and its new fire engine inside.

The blaze at Downham Market started in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Compressed air cylinders inside the building exploded.

The cost of the damage is expected to be around two million pounds.

Advertisement

Before and after pictures of fire-hit fire station

It's a rare occurrence - a fire in a fire station.

According to the Deputy Fire Officer of Norfolk Roy Harrold, in his 25 years in the fire service he's known it happen on only three occasions.

These 'before' and 'after' pictures were sent in by ITV Anglia viewer Paul Norfolk

Downham Market fire station before the fire Credit: Paul Norfolk
At the height of the blaze on Monday night

Fire station blaze causes damage put at £2m

An investigation has started after a blaze destroyed both a fire station and the new fire engine inside at an estimated cost of £2 million.

It happened in Downham Market at around midnight on Monday night. People living nearby had to be evacuated after breathing apparatus cylinders inside the building exploded.

Dozens of firefighters from across Norfolk and Cambridgeshire tackled the flames which had been spotted by officers working at the police station next door.

The ravaged building was only eight years old. A thorough investigation is underway but early indications are that an electrical fault was to blame.

Click below to watch a report from ITV News Anglia's Natalie Gray

Advertisement

Blaze destroys West Norfolk fire station

The fire station at Downham Market has been destroyed. Credit: Picture: Kathy Mellish.

A retained fire station at Downham Market in Norfolk has been destroyed in a blaze overnight.

Eight crews from the surrounding area tackled the fire on London Road which began just after midnight.

The fire engine stationed there has been destroyed.

The fire engine based at the station has also been destroyed. Credit: Picture: Kathy Mellish.
The fire station at Downham Market has been destroyed. Credit: ITV News Anglia.
The fire station at Downham Market the morning after the blaze. Credit: Picture: Kathy Mellish.
Back to top

Latest ITV News reports