Motorcycle Store Fire in Witham April 2011

This is not in 3D !
As I was awaiting the delivery of a Class10 memory card for the Fuji Real 3d W3 camera I had just bought to enable it to shoot 3D without problems, I elected to go ahead to shoot in 2D with the class 4 card supplied.
The reported cost of the fire was £150,000 which included clients own motorcycles. The explosions that can be heard, are empty canisters going up, not sniper fire!.
A 10 second clip was used by the BBC in the regional news progamme "Look East" that evening and again the next day.
I offered some HQ stills to the local newspapers, but they were declined, choosing to run photos taken after the fire had been put out !!
With decisions made like that, I am not surprised the local press have a hard time of it.
Taken on my new Fuji 3D W3 1280 x 720 @ 24 fps Deshaken on Virtualdub and manualy cropped to 1024 x 576

[@jackhopkins9618]

"can you move away from here please, cos there things exploding in there, so please move away" *hides behind a signpost*

[@simonm9503]

The firefighter in his trainers still, what a legend! Just running about getting all the kit ready for the team 👍

[@coleman4360]

Well he was the driver don't always time to put complete fire gear on.

[@simonhorne222]

Retained firefighter probably

[@ng67biker32]

Inexperienced crew on first pump. As a driver the PTO is the first thing you put in before leaving the cab. Jeans and trainers, retained......?.

[@fire20p2]

They got there eventually. Should of had two reels off straight away one on the roof of the house and the other one on the fire until that second pump turned up. Don’t know why they were getting off 45s when they are going to drop your tank in about 2 minutes. Don’t need BA initially, fight it from a distance. They were obviously having a problem with the first pump but to be honest I might be wrong but it sounded to me like the tank was shut that’s why it was banging away.

[@24321619]

Great planning laws we have in the U.K. that allow a motorcycle shop full of combustible materials to be put right next to houses, or the other way around, either way it's bloody stupid.

[@Dragonballguy270]

Looks like the first pump didn't have it in PTO, you could hear the engine going off its brain and nothing then you see him run back to the cab, you'll notice the second pumps crew disconnects the line and stick it on their pump

[@pickles014]

I didnt think you could increase revs from the pump if it's not in PTO? ........... probably a bad priming pump, maybe faulty? ......

[@corditekid1]

@@pickles014 I think you’ll find that the pump chose that moment to go ‘Tits up!’ It’s like when I was at sea, the steering-gear never fails when you’ve got a whole ocean’s worth of room, only when you’re in the middle of a narrow channel!! 🤨

[@pickles014]

@@corditekid1 yea possibly mate never say never

[@elisj80]

Depending on the pumps and if it’s a manual hand Rev leaver you can still Rev it from the back when the PTO isn’t in

[@randomguy7019]

Why so much hate on the Witham fire department they got the job done and that bike shop is still open

[@kimjong-un1136]

I'm guessing my motorcycle didn't pass it's MOT then?

[@SCHRANZ3040]

Don’t worry about the privet hedge getting trashed it’s just taken about 10yrs to get it to that shape and look

[@docdaneeka3424]

Exactly: never mind the raging fire, we can rebuild buildings, graft skin, and bury the dead - just for god's sake think of the hedge!

[@AnotherFredBloggs]

First branch excellent. At seat of fire near house instead of uselessly in the air!

[@simonsupersi2225]

i find it funny at every fire you see the cops get excited and run around like headless chickens

[@ganganeepiyadasa1135]

Simon Ma

[@maze2512]

Simon supersi huh?

[@charlieeeee6391]

The people in the secondary school behind there: 👁️👄👁️

[@JB91710]

1:45 The officer tries to tell the FFer to get water to the rake edge of the roof and the message doesn't get through and he doesn't stay to make Sure. Somebody should have been on that red door as soon as the wheels stopped. They need access. I can't believe the officers didn't control the guy in front. When the water hits the flame, it doesn't make a 90 degree turn and go down on the burning material. All that water went over the building.

[@greyman686]

Wait, this is the UK fire service though JB. I mean according to you, and most of the Euro's, these are the people us horrible North Americans should be learning from. I have to say I'm really impressed. Why didn't they deck gun it anyway?

[@mehistaimsaar1323]

grey man if there were deck guns on the pump-ladders where you would put the ladders?

[@greyman686]

You totally missed what I was doing and if you were familiar with Jacko (JB) you would know why I said that.

[@ChrisBrown1957]

I live in Witham, and didn't know this happened. But two things amaze me; the complete lack of any sense of urgency when they arrive on the scene and start setting up hoses. Some just wander around. And secondly, since it could have held bikes with fuel tanks, why were they spraying it all with water?

[@Scousefire]

Typical comment from someone the casual observer. If crews start running about like headless chickens then it causes confusion and panic. They looked to me like they were working as quickly and efficiently as possible under the circumstances.

[@calbiker4069]

Andy Daley i agree, the only reason why they dont run around is because they need to observe first and find out whats in there if theres any danger, like you could hear the driver say theres gas bottles in there so they need to figure out what to do next, thats where the watch manager/OIC comes in he is in charge of telling the crew what to do

[@mortgagewizard40]

Chris brown ..Firstly, theres something these days called a dynamic risk assessment, in effect, a risk assessment has to be carried out in seconds rather than fannying around..2. how were the firefighters to know there weren't spray paint cannisters in there as well as gas cylinders, yes it may seem obvious as its an mot station, but there could be some illegal chemicals stored illegaly,. the list is endless, just thank god it wasn't America or it would have been another 10 minutes before they even started to get changed...thank god for british fire crews.. best in the bloody world

[@greyman686]

But if North American firefighters don't run around they get shit on by European's for not being fast enough. Interesting.

[@GrizzlyHD277]

I think speed and urgency will differ for each situation, where they have more information and know what and if everyone got out they can rush to take out the flames. But if they do not have all the info they need to first establish what has happened pretty sure some circumstances they need to make sure everyone is out before hand.

[@YelpBullhorn]

Not very impressive attack. The officer tells the ff up the side of the house to aim his hose up at the roof's gable end, and he totally ignores him. And I wonder if the guy on the hose at the front realises his jet is landing in the next street!

[@CymruEmergencyResponder]

YelpBullhorn officer is actually telling him to be weary of the expose to the gable end.

[@Scousefire]

Armchair expert, are you actually a member of the brigade or just some walter mitty idiot?

[@JC-il6ps]

Did that first pump not have a full crew? Looked like there was only 2-3 of them.

[@shaunparkinson7121]

they are retained crew

[@tms372]

Yes we've seen fire trucks before, how about showing the fire ???

[@shelbyfulcher2361]

I know there have been budget cuts but I'm sure trainers are not part of the attire

[@beastlyanimal2518]

He will be an on call fire fighter, turns up from home or work 👍

[@shaunparkinson7121]

shelby fulcher he is a retained fireman

[@simonhorne222]

Budget cuts make fire and rescue services rely heavily on the retained firefighters so don't knock them. If it was my house on fire he could turn up in flip flops.

[@MegaJohnhammond]

"Hold off on the water, it's not big enough yet."

[@phantom2017]

with was with that 1st fire applience. no water, just the driver, no helmet, coat open, wearing Jeans AND In trainers!

[@phantom2017]

*What the hell was with*

[@phantom2017]

*What the hell was with*

[@MrLadeside]

probably retained......and trapped with only half the crew if it came in as persons reported !! Then suffer the consequences when you get back to your station...... : (

[@Scousefire]

The guy was clearly the driver of the fire appliance (engine) and as they are a retained crew, the man has clearly responded to the station is his civilian clothing. As he is the driver (and also pump operator), he would not have had time to change into this fire kit.

[@firejam78]

Looks like they had problems with the pump on the first appliance not the best time to find out its playing up lol

[@yvonmalette2522]

hey guys where do you get your water from? i don t see any fire hydrant

[@kinstar]

from the ground 2:03 thats what that fireman is doing

[@mehistaimsaar1323]

There is also another type of a hydrant called underground hydrant.

[@jimmelton5846]

The pub across the street, they are connected to a mixer tap in the kitchen.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

I didn't see it in the video, but had occupants of the house next to the fire been evacuated? And if, they should had left the front door open to make it possible for the fire fighters to do an attack from the inside if the fire had reached the attic. And I didn't understand why the first fire fighter didn't attack the roof gable first, as ordered, the fire heating up the brick wall isn't as bad than fire reaching the wooden structure under the rooftiles, and when hosing the top water flowing down will cool that wall anyway.

[@ce9934]

dieselmupke You're assuming they are at home and also that they haven't already been evacuated

[@jimmelton5846]

The fire station is 100 yards from there.

[@jacoboeugenio]

Triste la falta de aptitud del primer equipo, aunque sean voluntarios deben estar formados,

[@richardlaw5737]

Not a ideal time for the pump not to work on the first engine there!

[@firemansam2222]

Love the pump operator in white trainers

[@douglasstocks9698]

It looks like it's a retained crew and pump (part time)

[@grahammaguire404]

@@douglasstocks9698 Douglas my man ....your absolutely right ....hope the health and safety inspector isn't There can you imagine " Good god man white trainers on the fire ground", I'll be talking to your sub and station officer about this is that clear!!!!

[@gcfcos]

Will be on call (retained) fire fighters come from home or regular place of work. Double hard job

[@shaunparkinson7121]

@@grahammaguire404 you need to wake up then stop and think before making a stupid comment as he is a retained fireman and came straight from either home or work

[@Grumps76]

@@kingy002 this fire is less than 1 min from the station so no time on route to get fully kited out.

[@udodeege8799]

Die Feuerwehr -unser Freund und Helfer -sie leidet nicht unter Größenwahn!

[@makeupmaster1]

Boy they're stringent on the news reporting.

[@elwolf8536]

Is it on fire ?

[@WorldTradeCenterMuzakCommunity]

i dont think so, there was just a tiny spark.

[@gamingninja6743]

I'm not criticizing the brigade but shouldn't they have used foam on a petrol fire

[@matt37032]

gaming ninja foam is used for electrical fires

[@mikeukfirefighter]

@@matt37032 er....no

[@VREDFOX]

Their last customer was the ghost rider

[@montydon6777]

Bit shambolic to start with. Need to get in those houses lofts before they probably lose the two roofs on the houses as well .

[@charliedent4054]

I feel sorry for the person who lived in the house next to it.

[@jackielolaz1298]

Me to ):

[@robertnelson432]

Really impressed by the speedy attack.

[@tonypuntillo4931]

For man's sake! Use your ladder truck, or extension ladder to scale the wall to hit the fire

[@kentcarter835]

Not exactly overwhelming. Especially after reading so many British comments about American firefighting. In fact, it looked pathetic to me. 29 years paid service in Texas. Cheers, and stay safe out there.

[@grahammaguire404]

Anyone fancy a ice cold beer!!!

[@nickdennis6953]

It’s funny how people comment on how firefighter does his or her job when they don’t know the first thing about the way the fire service operates lmao and Chris brown how do you think they are going to put the fire out if they don’t get the hose out it’s not going to set it’s self up now is it and when you first get to a incident as a officer in charge you only go by what information you got at the time of the call plus’s you have to do a 360 of incident so you can deploy your crews safely and what’s the point in rushing the fire ain’t going anywhere

[@laurencecope7083]

Who allowed a sore of gas cylinders to be put in a residential area.

[@mattwilson690]

Probably the council and local officials as usual..."sighs" :(

[@shaunparkinson7121]

who has allowed you to have gas/electric/water in your house or petrol in your car

[@grzegorzkolodziej2419]

Straszna akcja i gdzie oni tą wodę lali szok! Zamiast na ścianę domu by ratować i schładzać a drugi przez bramkę na ziemie to leje w powietrze. Słabe szkolenie

[@ryanloon8533]

You see that one fire fighter shooting the water In front of the fire haha all his water is prolly not hitting the fire but hitting the other side where it's dry and not burning haha aye

[@patsematary]

Bikes made in Japan, a mobile phone recharger made in China, electrical layout crafted by Pakistani unregistered workers... the resulti? Notre Dame fire...

[@TheDom71000]

Well, I hope you all enjoyed someone else's misery.

[@z.conlon]

I live near there

[@randomguy7019]

Same

[@polishking1652]

I'm 4 minutes away from that shop

[@monoelmono9476]

My nan could have moved quicker than them firefighters and she died in 1989

[@josh35639]

you wanna give it a go pal?

[@GrizzlyHD277]

Crispy

[@adamkean3328]

Health and safety would have a fit ..guy running about in his trainers and jeans lol so much for PPE

[@shaunparkinson7121]

you need to wake up then stop and think before making a stupid comment as he is a retained fireman and came straight from either home or work

[@bezzlebedeviled4756]

100% waste of water.

[@thenussbaum44]

I love the foreigners who comment on the United States firefighting personnel not being ready to go when they get off the truck to fight the fire, but only one guy was here. Not to mention they pulled some small Mickey mouse line for a large fire, don't comment on United States firefighting anymore after looking at this.

[@shaunparkinson7121]

tutt tutt tutt another who comments without thinking and has no idea how the fire brigade operate heres a break down for you for one the first guy is a retained fireman and came straight from either home or work to the shout second with a fully crewed engine as soon as they get off the fire engine one man drags out the small reeled hose out and starts putting water onto the fire and the driver/pump man turns the supply on to that hose so they can contain the fire and stop it spreading while another fireman locates a suitable hydrant and connects the inlet hose to be connected to it at same time the pump man is connecting the inlet hose to the pump then the hydrant is opened and the pump turned on to draw water into the onboard tank at same time as those steps being done lager hoses are rolled out and connected to the outlets of the pump and a nozzle attached and the valve for that outlet is opened by which time one of the other firemen is in position with the nozzle and starts attacking the fire with that hose all this is done in under 2 minutes

[@daviekelly1469]

why was the firefighter (20 seconds into the video) wearing trainers and jeans????? Caroline, I don't enjoy someone elses misery, I do however enjoy firefighting video's as I have a admiration to the fire rescue service

[@shaunparkinson7121]

he is retained crew and either came from home or work though if video was all way through from start of them turning up to after they had finished you would of seen that after he had gotten everything connected and running he would of got the rest of his gear on

[@mikeymcmikeface5599]

Badly made video.

[@randomguy7019]

Mate it's made a phone he probly just saw it and well yea

[@williamayres9340]

No hurry then ,let the house next door burn, what a joke.

[@pratt11111]

what a bloody shambles, tell thy retained

[@josh35639]

Being retained has nothing to do with skill, they do the exact same training, and are just as good, today was just a bad day? Literally every other video I've seen of them has been fantastic

[@Gitika1956]

Useless stuff!

[@pratt11111]

LIKE WATCHING TRUMPTON FIRE SERVICE

[@garystefan3995]

Amateurs

[@Tso007]

Fire men are bloody slow 🐌