Poor parking left fire crew stuck for 45 minutes in Rothwell

A fire crew was unable to respond to incidents for more than 45 minutes this morning (Tuesday) after poorly parked cars left them stuck.

The crew from Desborough had been called to New Street, Rothwell, in the early hours to help East Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics.

When their help was no longer required firefighters were available to respond to other incidents and the crew prepared to leave the scene.

But poor parking on the narrow residential street, with one car on part of the pavement near the junction with Cecil Street, meant their fire engine was stuck and unable to navigate a corner.

Northants Police were called to the scene at about 2.30am to assist.

The owners of the cars involved were then located and the vehicles were moved.

Watch commander Garry Hodgkins, of Desborough Fire Station, said: “We would urge people to consider where they parking and whether it may impact on emergency services.

"A fire engine is four times the size of a car, and if people park on junctions it can make it difficult for emergency vehicles to attend.”

A Desborough Fire Station spokesman added: "The main problem was we were unable to turn the corner due to parked cars on the junction. We were unavailable to respond to further incidents for over 45 minutes.

"That could of [sic] cost someone their life."