1st March 2012

WEYMOUTH: Message in a pancake

By Harry Walton

HUNGRY visitors had a chance to get a tasty pancake for a pound while learning about cooking safely at Weymouth’s new community fire station.

The event took place on Shrove Tuesday during National Chip Week and fire crews used the opportunity to urge all pancake chefs and chip lovers to take care when cooking.

Last year saw Dorset Fire and Rescue Service attend 442 accidental dwelling fires, 269 of which started in the kitchen, resulting in 10 casualties.

Weymouth Community Safety Centre Coordinator, Andy Fowler said: “We wanted to use these two cooking related events to raise awareness of the dangers of cooking, remind people how to cook safely and invite the local community to our brand new community fire station and see all the facilities.

“The café at the station, which is run every weekday by Dorset County Council’s Oh Crumbs team, was open for pancakes and we all enjoyed a bit of fun while getting a serious message across.”

Fire crews gave blazing chip pan demonstrations throughout the day together with tours of the new community safety centre including the FireWise facility which is always happy to receive visits from schools and groups.

Andy said: “If you pour water on a burning chip pan it explodes, so one of our key messages was that if a pan catches fire then safely turn the power off, shut all doors, leave the room and dial 999. People should not try to tackle the fire themselves.”

Those schools and groups who would like to arrange a visit to FireWise can contact Dave Allan on 01305-753051 or email [email protected].

PICTURE 1: Members of Green Watch enjoy a pancake. Photo courtesy of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service

PICTURE 2: Pupils from St Nicholas and St Laurence Primary School enjoy their pancakes while on a tour of the community fire station