East Cowes: Structural issues force crews from fire station
- Published
The fire service said no long-term decisions about the station had been made
Crews have been forced to leave a fire station on the Isle of Wight after structural problems were found.
The fire service said it was unable to operate from the East Cowes station due to health and safety concerns.
It said it was looking for a temporary location for the crews to operate from.
Its fire engine has been relocated to Newport with work under way for firefighters to be able to mobilise from there when there is an incident.
The uprooted crews will also carry out their drill nights and train at Newport's station which is just over six miles (10km) from East Cowes.
Glenn Bowyer, director of operations at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The building has suffered with subsidence and subsequent underpinning has resolved the movement, however, the residual damage has left the building in an unmaintainable state.
"Most recent assessments of the building have led us to make the decision that our crews cannot continue to operate from the station due to health and safety concerns."
The fire service said it was focused on implementing an immediate temporary solution and no long-term decisions about the station had been made.
The service said islanders would continue to be protected by Newport and neighbouring stations.
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