£250k damage as blaze hits rescue team’s HQ
AMOUNTAIN rescue centre has been left devastated after a fire caused thousands of pounds’ worth of damage.
Fire and rescue services were called to the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team centre in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, on Saturday.
Deputy team leader Huw Jones said up to £250,000 worth of equipment and vehicles had been damaged in the blaze, which burned for more than three hours.
A control vehicle worth £100,000 has been destroyed along with external damage to two 4x4 vehicles used for rescue operations.
Medical and rescue equipment stored in the vehicle base is also thought to have suffered smoke damage.
Mr Jones, MBE, said volunteers at the charity will have to rely on their own cars and equipment for the “short term”.
He said: “All of the vehicles will be out of action until they can be officially assessed.
“Essentially, we have no vehicles or equipment, so we will have to rely on the help and support of other South Wales rescue services.
“Each team member has their own car and personal kit, but what we don’t have is medical equipment.”
“Hopefully we can get special involvement.
“The sooner we can get up and running the better.”
It is thought the control vehicle used for radio and internet communication during operations was at the centre of the fire.
The exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined.
Mr Jones added that 2017 “has been our busiest year, we have been called out 130 times”.
He said: “With people on holiday, traditionally Christmas is a busy time for us.”
The deputy team leader said he was first alerted to the fire after receiving a call from emergency services at 8.30pm.
Two members attended to open the locked base for fire engines to tackle the flames.
No damage was done to the rest the of the concrete building.
Of the two 4x4 specialist response vehicles, one had been officially unveiled in July 2016 following a fundraising project by members of the community.
The team, which relies on donations, have now been inundated with fundraising offers on social media to help replace equipment.
The volunteer team are responsible for the central section of the Welsh beauty spot including south Wales’ highest mountain Pen Y Fan as well as Cribyn and Corn Du.
A South Wales Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said crews were called to the fire at High Street, Dowlais, at 8.34pm on Saturday night.
Four appliances from Merthyr Tydfil, Ebbw Vale and Rhymney attended, with the last fire engine returning to base at 11.49pm.