MORE than 300 emergency calls were received by Dorset Fire Service during the peak of Storm Eunice.

Between 8am and 5.30pm on Friday, February 18, more than 300 emergency calls were received by Fire Control with many reporting fallen trees, fallen power cables and building damage.

Within the same time period, there were 22 storm related incidents attended by fire crews in Dorset. An additional five incidents were attended by a single officer in the county.

The service thanked those residents who heeded the plea to not call 999 for general storm damage.

Group manager Wayne Jones said: “Firefighters can only help when people are in danger, or electrics are involved and creating a potential fire hazard. Also, if our operators are answering 999 calls for things where we can’t help, that could delay a response to a call where the situation is life-threatening.

“Although there has been an exceptionally high number of calls received today (Friday), we do believe that people have heeded our requests and we thank them for it. Although the worst of the weather has hopefully passed, we would still urge people to please consider whether there is a genuine danger before calling 999 – fallen trees should be reported to the local authority – and damage to your home is something that needs to be resolved with a contractor and your insurance.”