Leicester: Warning after parked cars block firefighters' access

Firefighters were called to a house fire on Saturday but the fire engine was blocked from getting there

Firefighters have been putting up signs in Leicester to deter people from "inconsiderate" parking after they were unable to get to an emergency call.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said crews had to run to a reported house fire on Saturday as they could not get the appliance "within 100 meters" due to parking.

Firefighters say bad parking leaves them unable to access roads "weekly".

They have been giving out leaflets and talking to communities about the issue.

Crews say bad parking is a "struggle" for them

On Saturday, when crews were called to a house fire in St Bernard Street, Belgrave, they got stuck in neighbouring Roughton Street.

The fire service said it was a "persons reported" call, which means someone's life is at risk, and three appliances were sent.

"Luckily this time it was a false alarm due to fumes from cooking," they added.

A spokeswoman for the fire service added: "I believe this is the first time we've had a 'persons reported' incident where crews have had to run to the job, however struggling to get down streets due to bad parking is something the crews struggle with on a weekly occurrence.

"Due to this struggle, crews have started putting up parking signs to try and deter people from parking there."

Posters to warn people about "inconsiderate" parking have been put up in numerous streets

Firefighters have been putting up posters in Roughton Street this week and have already put up signs in Buxton Street, Chatsworth Street, Huntingdon Road and Mere Road.

Kane Lucas, watch manager for Leicester Eastern fire station, said he would like to remind people to please park considerately and think about whether a fire engine could get through.

He said: "We are an emergency service and the incidents we attend are time-critical. Luckily, nobody was hurt this time, but we might not always get this lucky."

The service has identified areas where they have recurring parking problems, which includes the whole of Spinney Hills, all junctions off Harrison Road, and all junctions off Egginton Street.

When a fire engine tried to get to St Bernard Street, in Belgrave, it got stuck in Roughton Street

They said they also have problems with any street off Mere Road due to parking at the junctions, with Chatsworth Street and Park Vale Road in that area being particularly bad.

The St Saviours Road area is also a problem, especially junctions mainly around Leicester Street, Rolleston Street, and Nottingham Road.

Streets off Uppingham Road including Kind Edward Road, Abbotsford Road, Haynes Road all cause issues, as well as Saltersford Road in that area, added the fire service.