Sark fire statement

Sark Fire & Rescue Service and Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service have today deployed firefighters to assist the multi-agency response in tackling a gorse fire on Little Sark, which started this morning.

 

At the time of this statement, the fire is believed to cover an area of approximately 20,000 msq, but it is now under control and fire crews will continue to dampen down. Crews do not expect it will spread further. No properties were directly affected by the fire, and water jets are in position to protect those buildings if needed.

 

Unfortunately, five firefighters from Guernsey were injured shortly after arriving in Sark, while travelling to assist at the scene. All five have been assessed by Sark doctor and first responders as having non-life threating injuries.

 

Guernsey Ambulance & Rescue supported with the response, sending the Flying Christine III to Sark with a medical crew and incident officer on board. They were met at the harbour by the Sark Ambulance. The firefighters have been transferred to Guernsey’s Emergency Department, via the marine ambulance, for further treatment. Two road ambulances, a patient transfer vehicle and operational commander were waiting for them at St Peter Port harbour to transfer them to the Princess Elizabeth hospital. The five firefighters are also expected to be discharged from the PEH today. Additional firefighters have been deployed to Sark on board the Flying Christine III to maintain the emergency response.

 

The current north/north easterly wind direction means that the fire is not expected to spread, as it is blowing out to sea.

 

We would like to thank the emergency services, volunteers and island community for their support and assistance during this challenging incident.

 

All agencies worked well together to respond to those affected by the incident. Our thoughts remain with our injured colleagues, and our hopes are for a full and speedy recovery.