FIREFIGHTERS from Hartland were involved in a ‘test scenario’ at Westward Ho! last week.

Fire crews from across North Devon tested their procedures for fighting a fire in a high rise building on July 4.

Crews attended the scenario of a fourth floor fire at the Horizon View holiday flats on the seafront.

The exercise involving around 30 firefighters was held to test new national procedures for firefighting in high rise buildings.

Artificial smoke was used to add realism to the scenario and multiple casualties were rescued by the fire crews in breathing apparatus.

Station manager Graham Rooke said: “Fires in high rise buildings present a range of logistical and physical challenges and can be an extremely hazardous environment for firefighters. It is essential that we practice our emergency response in an environment that is as realistic as possible.

“The potential for these incidents to go tragically wrong has been highlighted by the recent firefighter fatalities in Southampton and Hertfordshire and brings home the hazards and risks firefighters face when tackling this type of incident.

“The benefits from carrying out such an exercise are clear for all to see, it also reminds the residents of the importance of having working smoke alarms so that they have that early warning to escape.”