The chip pan demonstration showing how half a cup of water poured on to a burning pan can turn it into a ball of flames.

27 July 2009

Saturday’s annual open day at Great Holm Fire Station raised an estimated £2,200 for charity.

The station welcomed more than 1,000 visitors and put on a variety of displays, by the station's wholetime and retained firefighters.

Firefighters staged a ladder drill to show how they rescue someone who is trapped in a burning building.

There were two demonstrations showing how just half a cup of water poured on to a burning pan of oil can turn it into a ball of flame - along with a reminder that the correct procedure is to turn the heat off if it is safe to do so and call 999 after closing the door behind you as you leave.

The afternoon also featured a rescue demonstration by Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's Urban Search and Rescue technicians based at Aylesbury Fire Station.

The three fire appliances based at Great Holm Fire Station were on display - a combined rescue pump and turntable ladder vehicle called the Quint, a 4x4 Unimog and a Scania fire engine – along with the water rescue unit based at Newport Pagnell Fire Station.

During the day, 62 people signed up on Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's community safety exhibition unit to have free safety checks carried out in their homes. If you would like one, ring 01296 744477, email cs@bucksfire.gov.uk or fill in the online form at www.bucksfire.gov.uk

Station Manager Paul Harrison said: "We would like to thank everyone who came along. We hope they enjoyed themselves and were able to take some important fire safety and road safety messages away with them as well.

“We would also like to thank everyone who supported us and helped organise the day”.

The money raised at the open day will be presented to The Fire Fighters Charity, which provides assistance to serving and retired fire and rescue service staff, their families and dependants.

Other forthcoming open days in Milton Keynes

Sunday 23 August, 10am to 4pm – The Safety Centre, Carters Lane, Kiln Farm