FIREFIGHTERS from Dorset were called to a blaze at a property in Wiltshire yesterday – even though there's a fire station just 300 metres from the scene.

The kitchen roof of a home in The Fields, Mere set ablaze at around 10.50am.

However, due to a lack of available firefighters at Mere Fire Station, crews from Gillingham and Shaftesbury were called to the scene.

The teams extinguished a blaze which began in a shed but spread to a neighbouring home.

Area manager Andy Cole, who attended the incident, said firefighters managed to contain the fire to the shed and kitchen roof, saving the house from more serious damage.

“Firefighters did a great job," Mr Cole said.

"This fire occurred about 300 metres from Mere Fire Station but unfortunately, due to lack of available firefighters, Mere was not available to attend.

"We continue to try to recruit on-call firefighters across Dorset and Wiltshire.

"This type of incident shows exactly why we need these new recruits.

"It took firefighters from Gillingham 12 minutes from the call to arrive at this incident and if Mere had been available, this response time could have been cut dramatically.”

On-call firefighters are paid members of staff who respond to their local station when they are required to attend incidents. They receive the same levels of training and support as their wholetime colleagues.

For more information, visit dwfire.org.uk/working-for-us/on-call-firefighters