Car to go up in flames, for show
Ever wanted to see what happens when a car catches fire? Well, this is your chance.
The Matamata Volunteer Fire Brigade is holding an open day next Saturday and will demonstrate its response to different emergency situations.
Along with Matamata St John and Matamata Police, they plan to simulate a car crash and firefighters will use the jaws of life to rescue trapped people.
They will also set a car on fire and leave it burning for about three minutes before putting it out. ‘‘ We want to show people how fast a car can actually burn,’’ said senior firefighter Reuben Woolliams.
Mr Woolliams is helping to organise the event as part of his station officer’s course and said it was the first open day they had held in at least four years.
The day was about promoting fire safety and education, as well as showing the community what the fire service offers, he said.
‘‘We get a lot of support from the community so we want to show them some of the things we do.’’
Firefighters will demonstrate kitchen and oil fires and show people what to do – and, more importantly, what not to do – in those situations.
The competition team will do a demonstration with the hoses out front of the station and the trucks will be parked up for the community to take a close look.
Raffles, with some top prizes, a sausage sizzle, bouncy castle and photo booth for the kids to dress up as pint-sized firefighters will top the day off.