RAF Fylingdales firefighters first on scene for school bus fire
A firefighting crew from RAF Fylingdales were first on the scene to tackle a blaze on a school bus.
An end-of-year school trip turned into a nightmare for youngsters, when their coach caught fire on the A169, in the middle of the North Yorkshire Moors.
Fortunately, the RAF firefighters were quickly able to respond and get the fire under control.
The bus was transporting 31 school children and their teachers on a trip on Tuesday when it caught fire and had to be evacuated.
With prompt action by RAF Fylingdales, the four-man fire crew raced to the scene and, wearing their specialist breathing apparatus, were able to extinguish the fire.
The fire was caused by a failed pump that leaked diesel into the engine compartment.
"We were just relieved to be able to get to the fire so quickly," said RAF Fylingdales Fire Crew Watch Manager Baz Gargedt.
"Our guys acted, as always, swiftly and calmly and thankfully there were no injuries."
Firefighters from Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay later attended, and the RAF crew were able to go back to their primary mission – protecting the radar on the North York Moors.
RAF Fylingdales has a manned 24-hour fire station on site to protect the radar, but on occasions like this coach fire, the station is able to work with local services.
Reverend Paul Burnett, Watch Manager at Whitby Fire Station, said: "Many thanks to our RAF fire service colleagues for reacting so quickly to what was a quickly escalating fire with many young people on the roadside.
"Their additional support led to a quick conclusion of the incident.
"We occasionally train together, and this close working relationship pays dividends at times such as this," he added.
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