Dangerous Structures
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service are again responding to a large number of incidents today as strong winds continue to hit the county.
The majority of the calls relate to dangerous structures and our crews will attend these when the damage could cause a threat to life or injury.
Area Manager Neil Fenwick said: “We will attend incidents when there is a threat to life or a risk that people could be injured. It’s our role to keep people safe and our crews will respond and use specialist equipment such as our aerial ladder platforms when they need to. We have been called to a range of incidents across Essex including a fallen one and half tonne chimney in Colchester which needed to be made safe and falling roof tiles in Brentwood and Southend which could fly off and harm someone.
“If you are concerned about a structure or building which may injure people please contact us on 999, we will either attend or provide advice over the phone. We are here to keep people safe. Please do keep following our safety advice as these weather conditions continue.”
Advice to follow:
- Download the what3words app to help you find, share and save your precise location if you need help from the emergency services while you're out.
- Remember, only call 999 if there is a risk to life.
- Ensure your property and garden furniture is well secured
- If you find a fallen tree or other debris blocking the road report it at https://www.essexhighways.org/tell-us/report-all-issues
- Check your car regularly to make sure it’s safe to drive - this includes tyres, oil levels and water
- Always prepare for your journey by checking weather updates and road closures before leaving
- Never drive while under the influence of drink or drugs or while using a mobile phone
- Always wear a seatbelt
- Take it slower on the roads in wet, windy and icy weather and leave a larger braking distance between cars
- Never drive into flood water
Image 1 Incident Information:
Firefighters attended Brentwood High Street at 9.57am today (Sunday) to remove a four metre by two metre metal sheet which was hanging in a precarious position from a three storey building.
Crews used an aerial ladder platform and tools to remove it. The area was made safe by 11.39am.
Image 2 Incident Information:
We were called at 9.30am today to a property in Woodgrange Drive, Southend, following concerns that tiles were hanging precariously over a footpath. Crews used the aerial ladder platform to reach the roof and remove the loose tiles. It was made safe by 11.01. The road was closed whilst the building was made safe.
