Crowds flock to Telford station's open day
The horrors of gas explosions and the thrill of saving lives are all in a day's work for Shropshire's firefighters.
And that's exactly what was on display at an open day hosted by crews in Telford.
Scores of residents and families flocked to Telford fire station's open day to see displays including how a car rescue was made and the cave rescue team in action.
A team from Midlands Cave Rescue used the 100ft high drill tower to demonstrate their lifesaving techniques, while firefighters also showed the power of a small explosion under controlled conditions.
Organiser Mark Barnett, a firefighter on Green Watch at Telford fire station in Stafford Park, said he hoped the event demonstrated how paramount safety was to the wide range of work dealt with by the fire and rescue service. He said: "It was a chance for members of the public to see how firefighters operate and to pick up some potentially life-saving information.
"It was free entry for everyone and people could watch firefighters doing pump and ladder drills as well as tour the specialist fire appliances here in Telford.
"It was an opportunity for family members of all ages to learn more about how to protect themselves and what they should do if fire breaks out in their homes."
There was also an interactive smoke tent, aiming to teach children how to escape from a smoke-filled house.
A number of unique vehicles were also on display including the specialist rescue tender and the six-wheeled all terrain vehicle for rescues in remote areas of Shropshire.
