AN empty residential site in Shaftesbury has been turned into a training ground for firefighters to practice vital lifesaving techniques.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has carried out a number of training exercises on the vacant site belonging to Churchill Retirement Living.

The specialist retirement developer plans to build 38 apartments on the site in Coppice Street and has lent the land to the rescue service to practice on before the existing buildings are demolished.

The site is currently home to six empty residential homes, which the fire service has used to practice search and rescue techniques as well as forced entry methods.

Matt Scott, station commander at Shaftesbury Fire Station, said: “We’re extremely grateful to Churchill Retirement Living for allowing us to use this site to carry out various training exercises.

“It’s vital that our firefighters get the opportunity to train for scenarios in as realistic circumstances as possible and Churchill has kindly provided this unique training opportunity.

“It’s not often that the fire service gets to practice on empty houses like this as we often meet great challenges when sourcing realistic venues for scenario training.

“We don’t usually get the chance to break down doors and windows or cut holes in the properties where we train so this has been an invaluable hands on experience for us.

“Our firefighters work hard to constantly develop their skills and we greatly appreciate the chance to conduct realistic training within our own area.”

Churchill Retirement Living’s new retirement development in Shaftesbury is located just to the edge of the town centre and will comprise 38 private, self-contained apartments.

Kevin Sharp, pre-commencement contracts manager at Churchill Retirement Living, said: “We like to write to the emergency services when we are starting at a new site to advise them about the demolition and offer the use of the site to help with their training.

“Matt and his team will also be returning at a later date to carry out a tower crane rescue exercise once construction begins on-site.

“We are always happy to help the emergency services and assist in whatever way we can to enable them to carry on with the fantastic work that they do.”

For more information about the new development or to register an interest call 0800 458 1856 or visit churchillretirement.co.uk.