Five Guernsey firefighters injured on the way to tackle huge gorse fire on Little Sark
- Five Guernsey firefighters injured while responding to a gorse fire on Little Sark this morning
- All five sustained non-life threatening injuries and have been transferred to Princess Elizabeth Hospital for treatment
- Fire covers approximately 20,000 square metres but no properties are currently affected
- Multi-agency response includes Guernsey and Sark fire services, coastguard drone unit and Guernsey Harbours' workboat
- Wind direction blowing fire out to sea means it is not expected to spread further
Five firefighters from Guernsey have been injured while responding to a gorse fire on Little Sark, which broke out this morning.
The firefighters sustained non-life threatening injuries shortly after arriving in Sark, while travelling to the fire scene. All five were assessed by the Sark doctor and first responders before being transferred to Guernsey's Emergency Department for further treatment.
Guernsey Ambulance & Rescue Service deployed the Flying Christine III marine ambulance with a medical crew and incident officer on board to transport the injured firefighters. They were met at the harbour by the Sark Ambulance before being taken to St Peter Port harbour, where two road ambulances, a patient transfer vehicle and an operational commander were waiting to transfer them to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
The fire, which is believed to cover approximately 20,000 square metres, prompted a multi-agency response involving Sark Fire & Rescue Service and Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service. Additional firefighters have been deployed to Sark aboard the Flying Christine III to maintain the emergency response.
No properties are currently affected by the fire, and water jets have been positioned to protect buildings if needed. Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service has assumed command of the fire operation, working alongside Sark Fire and Rescue Service and local volunteers who initially deployed to tackle the blaze.
Guernsey Harbours' workboat Sarnia is on scene at Port Gorey, Little Sark, assisting with firefighting efforts from the water. The Guernsey Coastguard drone unit has also been deployed to provide aerial surveillance of the fire.
The current north to north-easterly wind direction means the fire is not expected to spread, as it is blowing out to sea.
In a statement, emergency services said: "We would like to thank the emergency services, volunteers and island community for their support and assistance during this challenging incident. All agencies worked well together to respond to those affected by the incident. Our thoughts remain with our injured colleagues, and our hopes are for a full and speedy recovery."
Q&A
Q: How many firefighters were injured?
A: Five firefighters from Guernsey were injured shortly after arriving in Sark while travelling to assist at the fire scene. All five sustained non-life threatening injuries.
Q: How large is the fire?
A: The fire is believed to cover an area of approximately 20,000 square metres on Little Sark. No properties are currently affected by the fire.
Q: What emergency resources have been deployed?
A: The response includes Sark Fire & Rescue Service, Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service, the Flying Christine III marine ambulance, Guernsey Harbours' workboat Sarnia, the Guernsey Coastguard drone unit, and multiple road ambulances. Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service has assumed command of the fire operation.
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