TUNBRIDGE WELLS firefighters have issued another warning about parked cars after they were delayed in reaching an incident in Granville Road on Thursday evening (22 December).
Two appliances were sent to a house shortly after 11pm but were prevented from getting to the property; they were unable to manoeuvre the fire engines safely between vehicles parked on the narrow road.
This resulted in crews having to lay out four lengths of hose reel down the road before they could extinguish the fire.
A breathing apparatus team went into the property to find an item had been left too close to an electric hob and caught alight. The occupants were given oxygen therapy before being handed into the care of the ambulance service. Firefighters left the scene shortly after 1am.
The Times reported on the issue in August after two emergency responders were held up by vehicles that were double parked in Brookfield Court and Springfield Road. The fire service highlighted people parking on junctions as a particular problem, as it renders fire engines unable to turn into the road.
Following the latest incident a spokesperson for Kent Fire and Rescue Service urged residents to ‘think carefully about where and how you park vehicles especially during the festive period, when you may have extra guests’.
He added: “Please park as close to the kerb as possible and take simple steps like straightening your vehicles wheels, it really can make a big difference in allowing emergency service vehicles to get through tight gaps as quickly and safely as possible.”
