By Rachel Allen
The Wiltshire Times
TROWBIDGE, Scotland — Trowbridge firefighters showed that they are never fully off-duty last week when they helped put a fire out while on holiday.
Fire watch manager Matty Maggs, who works at Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service headquarters in Potterne, was on holiday with Trowbridge retained firefighters, watch manager Stuart Derrick and crew manager Rik Parkin, and their wives Louise Maggs, Joanne Derrick and Sandra Parkin in Fort William.
On a day out by minibus to Tioram Castle, near Blain, last Tuesday, the group saw smoke drifting across the road and realised that there was a fast spreading gorse fire.
Mr Maggs, 38, of Hilperton, said: “We saw a young lady and her father frantically trying to put out the fire, which had spread from some controlled burning around the family’s smoke house.
“Because the weather had been so dry and warm, the gorse was tinder dry and the fire had quickly got out of control.”
The three firefighters quickly got involved, helping to beat down the fire before it spread to a neighbour’s property.
Their wives also rolled up their sleeves and helped out.
When the local retained crew from the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service turned up the Trowbridge crew introduced themselves and the firefighters were grateful for their assistance.
Mr Maggs said: “We didn’t expect to work when we were on holiday, but it was good that we were able to help, and the family involved gave us some lovely smoked cheese and fish by way of thanks.
“Ironically, the son is in the process of joining the Highland and Islands Fire and Rescue Service but was on crutches, having broken his leg on the same day as passing his physical to get in.”
The watch manager said they had a laugh about it afterwards, as there had been several grass fires during their holiday and said Scotland would be glad when they went home.
He added: “I think we can safely say its the furthest we have gone for a fire call.”
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