Just after 11pm on Saturday 11 October, the Emergency Services Control Centre received multiple 999 calls reporting a garage well alight in a residential estate in St Brelade. Callers also reported the fire spreading to nearby vehicles and properties.
Fire crews were immediately mobilised from Town (HQ) Fire Station and on-call firefighters from Western Fire Station. On arrival, crews were faced with a detached garage fully involved in fire, producing a large amount of smoke due to combustibles inside.
Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly got to work using a hose reel to tackle the blaze, while another crew used a medium water jet to protect surrounding properties and vehicles. Thanks to their swift actions, the fire was brought under control and prevented from spreading further.
Due to the heavy smoke, residents were advised to return indoors and close windows until it was safe to do so. Police officers assisted with keeping the area secure, while paramedics remained on standby as a precaution.
The intensity of the fire caused extensive damage to the garage and made the roof structure unsafe. Therefore the Aerial Ladder Platform was deployed to help remove unstable sections so firefighters could fully extinguish the fire. Additional on-call crews from Town HQ provided support in bringing the incident to a close.
At the height of the operation, 22 firefighters were on scene. Crews remained in attendance for around four hours before handing the site over to the occupier, Island Energy, and the Jersey Electricity Company (JEC) to ensure the area is safe.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Watch Commander Richard Ryan said:
“I’d like to thank the local residents for their patience and cooperation while crews worked to bring the fire under control. Their quick actions and understanding helped ensure the safety of everyone in the area.”
