30 January 2012
Firefighters prevented a fire from causing serious damage to a film studio at Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath on Friday evening.
Crews from Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield, High Wycombe, Great Missenden, London and Berkshire were called to the incident at 9.59pm. At its peak, there were 30 firefighters and officers at the scene.
Watch Manager Denis Melia, the incident commander, from Gerrards Cross Fire Station, said: "The fire began in a catering lorry that is being used to feed the cast and crew of the Bond movie currently under production, and then spread to the roof of an adjacent studio building.
"It was discovered by on-site security staff, who promptly raised the alarm."
Security staff met the first attending appliance, from Gerrards Cross Fire Station, and provided firefighters with an information pack for the building affected. They also confirmed that the studio's own hydrant system had been charged and was ready for use.
Denis said: "These procedures are included in the strategy plan for the site, and it is pleasing that it worked so efficiently."
He added: "The lorry was well alight, with flames reaching the top of the adjacent building. Crews from Gerrards Cross and Slough used a hose reel and main jet to tackle the fire, which was now spreading to the roof of the building, and to cool four LPG cylinders that were attached to the vehicle.
"These two crews from different brigades working together very effectively to prevent the roof from becoming fully involved and the incident from becoming much more serious."
Denis increased the initial attendance of three rescue pumps and a turntable ladder to six rescue pumps when the fire began spreading to the roof.
Denis said: "Once it became clear that the fire was under control and further spread was no longer an issue, a stop message was sent at 10.49pm and oncoming appliances were returned.
"The incident was progressively scaled down, with only damping down and cutting away operations continuing.
The Gerrards Cross crew remained at the scene until about 1am.
The cause of the fire is believed to be a fault in either the electrical or gas supply to the vehicle.