Firefighters are pictured showing the crowd how they release someone who is trapped in a vehicle after a crash.

4 August 2008

Sunday’s open day at Broughton Fire Station raised £2,500 for charity in just three hours.

The station welcomed an estimated 1,500 visitors during the afternoon, and staged a series of safety displays.

Other attractions included the chance to soak a firefighter with wet sponges, pony rides, a trampoline, a bouncy castle, a barbecue, a raffle and a display of fire engines.

One of the highlights was a specially-staged bedsit fire showing the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home.

The event was organised by the station’s firefighters, who were helped on the day by colleagues from Newport Pagnell, the Command and Control Unit and the Community Safety team.

Station Manager Geoff Bottle said: "Despite the dull weather and the credit crunch, we attracted 1,500 visitors. Our aim was to give people of all ages an enjoyable afternoon out and to provide them with some important fire safety and road safety messages."

The proceeds are being donated to The Fire Fighters Charity, which provides assistance to serving and retired fire and rescue service staff, their families and dependants.