Newton Abbot Fire Station

Newton Abbot Fire Station Fire Station Being "on call" means that we are not on the station 24 hours a day. Details of the incident are given via a turnout sheet.

Newton Abbot Fire Station is located on The Avenue and covers the towns of Newton Abbot, Denbury, East & West Ogwell, Abbotskerswell, Ippelpen and Kingsteignton whilst supporting surrounding areas across Devon. The station is a retained "on call" 2 pump fire station with an EPU (Environmental Protection Unit)

We currently have 21 personnel - 2 Watch Managers, 4 Crew Managers and 15 Fire Fighters.

We are contacted by a pager that every on call firefighter carries on their person. So when a '999' call comes in, all crews are alerted by Fire Control to attend the station, from either their homes or place of work. Each Monday evening we attend the station, between 19:00 and 21:00 for weekly training. This is known as a drill night.

Just before 1300 today, one appliance from Newton Abbot fire station was mobilised to reports of a fire in the open on t...
10/06/2026

Just before 1300 today, one appliance from Newton Abbot fire station was mobilised to reports of a fire in the open on the outskirts of Kingsteignton.

As we were responding to the incident the crew could see thick black smoke rising in the distance. Upon our arrival, crews discovered a quantity of building materials and tyres to be well alight with the fire rapidly spreading towards a nearby van.

The IC (Incident Commander) requested a second appliance to attend for additional water. Following this, he then sent two firefighters wearing BA (Breathing Apparatus) to tackle the fire using a 51mm CAFS (Compressed Air Foam System) jet.

The decision to use CAFS rather than water was a conscious decision made by the IC. This was due to the remote nature of the fire and a lack of hydrants in the area. The CAFS solution when mixed with water onboard the appliance, creates much larger quantities of finished foam when compared with that of just usable water alone. Therefore we could continue to tackle the fire for longer whilst awaiting the arrival of our colleagues from Torquay Fire Station.

The land owners also used their telehander to remove large amounts of block work so that the crew could access all areas of the fire and ensure it was fully extinguished.

This fire was accidentally caused when an incinerator bin was left both unattended, and too close to other combustible materials. Although the incinerator bin was believed to have already burned out, this incident dramatically highlights the importance of ensuring that if you have a fire, it is in a clear area, you stay with it and you have a means of extinguishing the fire should it become larger than desired.

The quick work from the crews ensured the fire was quickly knocked back and that the damage to the van was minimal. We would also like to extend our thanks to the crew at Torquay for your assistance at this fire.

Today, one appliance from Newton Abbot fire station was mobilised to Newton Abbot Racecourse as part of a multi-agency r...
28/05/2026

Today, one appliance from Newton Abbot fire station was mobilised to Newton Abbot Racecourse as part of a multi-agency response to reports of a gas explosion.

Thankfully, this was all due to exercise "Operation Blaze" which was organised by Plymouth University as part of a major incident training scenario for their Paramedic students.

Unfortunately we missed the start due to reports of a real gas leak in Torquay with our EPU (Environmental Protection Unit). Upon our arrival at the exercise however, fire crews were met with close to 100 live casualties, all made up with make up, fake injuries and some oscar worthy acting abilities on display. Even with all of these effects on display however, almost all of the casualties had been triaged and were being managed and treated in a calm but firm and effective manner by the students.

Our role as a fire service was to assist in the handling of casualties and medical intervention under the instruction of these Paramedic students. For a lot of these students it would have been the first time they have worked alongside frontline firefighters and it was a great opportunity for us to showcase our capabilities and how we can be of assistance to them during mass casualty incidents.

The exercise replicated the true panic, confusion and pressure an incident of this type would create. However, the way the students performed was exemplary and its reassuring to know the next generation of Paramedics we will be working alongside are more than upto the task.

We would like to thank both the University of Plymouth for organising the event and inviting us to join in, as well as Newton Abbot Racecourse for hosting the event and allowing us to train for scenarios that we hope we never have to attend.

20/05/2026

At 1246 today, one fire appliance from Newton Abbot fire station was mobilised to reports of a vehicle fire on the Totnes road prior to the Ogwell roundabout.

Whilst responding to the incident however, we were updated via 999 fire control that this incident was actually an RTC (Road Traffic Collision). When the crew arrived on scene they discovered that two vehicles had been involved in a head-on collision. All four individuals involved in the RTC were thankfully already free from their vehicles and in the care of paramedics. In this situation our role becomes more about the safety of the overall scene, as well as the management of any pollutants present.

Crews disconnected the batteries on both vehicles to reduce the risk of further airbags or SRS (Supplemental Restraint Systems) unexpectedly deploying. Crews managed the pollution risk by using oil absorbant pads to absorb fluids that had leaked from the vehicles.

Whilst we managed these hazards, SWASFT (South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust) and the DAAT (Devon Air Ambulance Trust) crew made the decision that one of the individuals involved needed to be transported to hospital by air.

The crew of Newton Abbot fire station then shifted their focus to support and assist SWASFT and the DAAT aircrew with this. Our firefighters ensured their was a clear route for the casualty to be transported to the awaiting helicopter which had landed in Bakers Park. The crew also spoke to people in the immediate area and set up an exclusion zone to ensure those watching the helicopter would remain safe once the aircraft took off.

We would like to thank everyone for their patience whilst we dealt with this incident. From all of us here at Newton Abbot fire station, we wish everyone involved in today's RTC a speedy recovery.

12/05/2026

Join our crew through the lens of our TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera) as they locate and rescue a casualty in almost 0% visibility from a recent exercise at Newton Abbot Racecourse. For more info check out the lastest post on our page.

12/05/2026

Get up close to the action and watch as BA (Breathing Apparatus) crews commit and rescue a casualty from a recent fire exercise at the Lyceum theatre in Torquay, hosted by the Unleashed Theatre Company.

For more information, visit our page and check out our latest post.

Yesterday was a busy night of training for the crews of Newton Abbot fire station which saw us attend two separate BA (B...
12/05/2026

Yesterday was a busy night of training for the crews of Newton Abbot fire station which saw us attend two separate BA (Breathing Apparatus) scenarios.

The first one took place at the Lyceum theatre alongside Torquay and Paignton fire stations, graciously arranged for us by Torquay. The crews were briefed that a fire had broke out in the theatre complex that had since been extinguished by another crew. However, 10 persons were still unaccounted for and needed rescuing from the "smoke filled" building.

Crews from Torquay, Paignton and Newton Abbot all wore BA into the pitch black seating area where in 0% visibility they were able to effectively search the theatre, find and rescue all of the missing persons before either escorting them to safety or physically carrying them away from danger.

The alternative BA drill saw the remainder of the Newton Abbot crew attend Newton Abbot Racecourse for a simulated fire in one of their bars located under the stands.

Upon arrival the IC (Incident Commander) could clearly see vast amounts of synthetic smoke issuing from the building and was informed that three people were still inside and unaccounted for.

Two firefighters wearing BA took a hose reel jet and were committed into the building. Utilising the "BA Shuffle" they were able to find all three casualties and bring them to safety.

Without the willingness from businesses and members of the public, extensive training scenarios like these would be impossible for us to recreate. Its with their help and support that our crews can continue to develop their skills and perfect their techniques, all in training venues that make it as realistic as possible.

Therefore we would like to extend a massive thank you to the Unleashed Theatre Company and Newton Abbot Racecourse for hosting our crews and allowing us to train at your sites. Another thank you is also extended to the individuals who acted as casualties thereby adding another layer to the realism. Finally we would like to say thank you to Torquay Fire Station for arranging and inviting us to your four pump exercise. As always its a pleasure to work alongside colleagues from our neighbouring stations.

Also, check out our latest reels to see videos from these exercises and gain an appreciation of what conditions and visibility are really like when we commit into a building fire. All seen through the lenses of our TICs (Thermal Imaging Camera).

06/05/2026

A quick video that was sent in to us showing the scale of the fire our crews attended yesterday evening. For more pictures and information about the incident, visit our page and check out our latest post.

Yesterday evening both appliances from Newton Abbot fire station were mobilised to reports of a vehicle fire. Whilst on ...
06/05/2026

Yesterday evening both appliances from Newton Abbot fire station were mobilised to reports of a vehicle fire. Whilst on route, vast plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the incident. As we approached, control upgraded the incident to a building fire following the multiple 999 calls they received.

Upon our arrival we discovered both. One vehicle parked within a garage, as well as the garage itself were well alight with smoke and flames pouring from the building.

The IC (Incident Commander) committed two firefighters wearing BA (Breathing Apparatus) to extinguish the fire. They took with them a hose reel jet each in order to achieve this. After some aggressive firefighting, it was apparent they were struggling to fully extinguish the car fire. After some quick investigations they realised that the fuel tank had ruptured and they were now dealing with a fuel fire.

Large quantities of fuel can't be readily put out with water, therefore the pump operator alongside a couple other firefighters set up a 51mm attack jet in order to apply CAF (Compressed Air Foam). A firefighter then used the CAF jet to smother the fuel fire and finally extinguish the blaze.

Once the fire was under control several firefighters were tasked by the IC to dismantle the roof. The roof had been severely damaged by the fire and was now at risk of collapsing. We used several tools including reciprocating saws and ceiling hooks to bring the roof down and mitigate the risk of the roof falling in an uncontrolled manner, potentially injuring a member of the public.

Crews remained on scene for a period of time after the initial fire to cut away affected areas of building and ensure that no hot spots remained. A number of our firefighters had become heavily contaminated from the carbonaceous materials involved. Therefore the IC requested a third appliance (which attended from Torquay Fire Station) to assist with the cleaning process. This type of fire ground decontamination is one of the ways we protect ourselves from the hazardous and toxic materials we regularly come into contact with. By completing such cleaning, we aim to look after the health of our firefighters long after the fires have been extinguished.

One appliance and the EPU (Environmental Protection Unit) from Newton Abbot fire station were mobilised to reports of a ...
27/04/2026

One appliance and the EPU (Environmental Protection Unit) from Newton Abbot fire station were mobilised to reports of a building fire at Princess Yatchs in Plymouth this morning. Whilst on route however, the Plymouth crews deemed we were no longer required as the incident wasn't as significant as first thought.

As we were returning to station however, just as we came off the A38 back into Newton Abbot, we were mobilised onto a vehicle fire along the Ashburton road. Crews didn't have much time to react, becuase as we came around the corner, we indeed discovered one van to be well alight, with smoke and flames issuing from under the bonnet and driver compartment. Marking our third developed vehicle this week.

Crew members swiftly closed the road and started to apply water from a distance. Whilst this was underway, two firefighters under direction from the IC (Incident Commander) applied their BA sets (Breathing Apparatus) and took a hose reel jet with them to extinguish the fire.

Crews had to utilise our battery powered hydraulic spreaders and cutters so that entry could be made into the side and rear doors of the van. This was so that we could ensure the fire had been fully extinguished.

Crews didn't have much warning with this fire call, however they quickly ensured the scene was safe for everyone involved and extinguished the fire in an efficient and effective manner.

Yesterday afternoon, one appliance from Newton Abbot Fire Station was mobilised to reports of a vehicle fire in the Milb...
26/04/2026

Yesterday afternoon, one appliance from Newton Abbot Fire Station was mobilised to reports of a vehicle fire in the Milber area. As we were leaving the station the crew could see the smoke plume in the distance.

Upon our arrival the crew discovered one vehicle to be well alight with significant amounts of smoke and flames issuing from the car. After quickly surveying the incident, it was also obvious that the fire had spread into an adjacent building.

The IC (Incident Commander) requested a second appliance which came from Torquay Fire Station to assist with the incident. The IC committed two firefighters wearing BA (Breathing Apparatus) with a 51mm attack jet to tackle the fire and prevent the flames from escalating further into the building.

After some efficient and dynamic work, the crew managed to knock back the flames that had spread into the building and extinguish the car fire before the building became fully involved.

Once the the fire had been suppressed the crews worked with a variety of small tools and reciprocating saws to remove cladding and cut away areas affected by the fire. The purpose of this is to ensure no hot spots remain and that there is no undetected fire spread.

This incident was another great opportunity for us to work alongside our colleagues from Torquay and everyone's effort ensured the fire was swiftly brought under control before it became significantly worse.

We would also like to thank our 999 control room who passed on vital information from a member of the public about a bank of pressurised cylinders stored within the vicinity of the incident. These additional details allow us to act decisively when we arrive on scene, as well as alert us to dangers that may be present. On this occasion we were able to act quickly on the information provided and remove the cylinders before they became an explosive risk.

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The Avenue
Newton Abbot
TQ122DR

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