Museum donates fire engine to brigade in Croatia

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service retired the Sabre in about 2013

An old fire engine has been sent back into service in Croatia after a spending a decade on display in a Nottinghamshire museum.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service retired the Dennis Sabre appliance in about 2014 and donated it to the Mansfield Fire Museum.

The engine has since been a key part of the museum's collection - sometimes being rolled out for shows, open days and displays

Now, however, it has been returned to front line duties in a small village in Croatia.

The Dennis, centre, alongide other engines in the museum collection

Paul Horton, museum communication officer, said the charity's trustees realised the vehicle was still fit for use and initially considered sending it to Ukraine to help the emergency services in the warzone.

However, they feared it would be destroyed in fighting and decided it could be put to use in Croatia.

"Although it has been in our collection for quite a long time, it has remained operational," Mr Horton said.

"It went into storage last August pending work being done on it and making it again a fully operational fire engine, its pump and ladders were tested and it was kitted out from generous donations."

'Much-needed fire cover'

The Sabre arrived in Croatia earlier this month after a 36-hour drive across Europe.

It has been presented to the village's fire brigade and will either replace its existing 1970s Magnus Deutz appliance or run alongside it.

“We were sorry to see her go," Mr Horton added.

"But it was decided by the trustees that this would be a very well worth gesture to provide much-needed fire cover in Croatia”

"She will be there to provide an essential fire service in Croatia and wish her all the best out there.”

Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.