South West 999
Special Features
Major Fire Trago Mills, Newton Abbot, Devon
Wednesday 6 October 2004
On 6 October 2004 the large Trago Mills shopping centre near Newton Abbot was involved in a major fire which eventually went to a 25 pump attendance. This was the largest fire in Devon for many years. Due to the efforts of attending crews much of the site was saved and was partially reopened for business just over a week later. At the fires height press reports indicate 15 main jets in use along with 3 ALP monitors. Thanks go to Dave Williams, David Day & Ian Moore who have supplied attendance details and photographs.
Wednesday 6/10/04 Time of call: 0606
20 Bovey Tracey WrL (201)
28 Newton Abbott WrT (282)
0612: Mobilised Following Repeat Calls:
28 Newton Abbott WrL (281)
0616: “201: In attendance.”
0617: “201 : Make Pumps 6, ALP and WrC Required.”
19 Ashburton WrL (191)
17 Torquay WrL (171) WrT (172) ALP (174) WrC (17W)
18 Paignton M+ISU (18U)
31 Totnes WrT (312) (ICV support) ICV (31C)
Standbys:
30 Teignmouth WrT (302) to 28 Newton Abbot.
17 Torquay ( Retained) to station to man 173.
0625: “201: Make Pumps 10.”
30 Teignmouth WrT (302) from sby 28.
22 Buckfastleigh WrL (221)
17 Torquay WrL (173)
30 Teignmouth WrL (301)
Standbys:
18 Paignton WrL (181) to 17 Torquay.
25 Dawlish WrL (251) to 28 Newton Abbot.
45 Topsham WrT (452) to 30 Teignmouth.
27 Moretonhampstead WrL (271) to 20 Bovey Tracey.
0638: “31C: “Make Pumps 15, ALPs 2.
18 Paignton WrL (181) redirected.
27 Moretonhampstead WrL (271) redirected.
25 Dawlish WrL (251) redirected.
45 Topsham WrT (452) redirected.
31 Totnes WrL (311)
32 Exeter ALP (324)
Standbys:
18 Paignton WrT (182) to 17 Torquay.
21 Brixham WrT (212) to 18 Paignton.
24 Dartmouth WrT (242) to 31 Totnes.
32 Exeter WrT (322) to 20 Bovey Tracey.
56 Princetown WrT (562) to 19 Ashburton.
0655: “Informative: A building 200m x 300m used as shopping centre. Fire in main building. 10 BA, 4 hose
reel jets, 5 jets and ALP in use. Crews in Oscar mode.”
0728: “31C: “Make Pumps 20.”
56 Princetown WrT (562) redirected.
32 Exeter WrT (322) redirected.
18 Paignton WrT (182) redirected.
20 Bovey Tracey L4P (20P)
17 Torquay GPV (17G)
Standbys:
33 Exmouth WrT (332) to 17.
23 Chagford WrL (231) to 28.
38 Crediton WrT (382) to 27.
0808: “From CFO Young: Make Pumps 30, ALPs 3, WrCs 2, ICVs 2, and ISUs 3.”
(Downgraded almost immediately to mp25 by phone.)
23 Chagford WrL (231)
38 Crediton WrT (382)
33 Exmouth WrT (332)
24 Dartmouth WrT (242)
21 Brixham WrT (212)
53 Ivybridge PM+ISU (53U) Incident Support Unit
32 Exeter PM+ISU (32U) Incident Support unit
32 Exeter WrC (32W)
33 Exmouth ICV (33C) Incident Command Vehicle
33 Exmouth WrL (331) (ICV support)
48 Camel’s Head ALP (484)
Standbys:
26 Kingsbridge WrL (261) to 31.
13 Okehampton WrT (132) to 28.
21 Brixham WrL (211) to 17.
51 Plymstock WrL (511) to 18.
36 Budleigh Salterton WrL (361) to 33.
43 Sidmouth WrT (432) to 30.
45 Topsham WrL (451) to 20.
57 Tavistock WrT (572) to 19.
“2 relief crews required on fireground by 1100.”
50 Greenbank WrT (502)
44 Tiverton WrT (442)
1136: “From CFO Young: STOP: A building of 2 floors, approximately 200m x 300m, used as multiple shopping complex and storage. 50% of building severely damaged by fire, collapse, and smoke. Storage area damaged by smoke. 58 BA, 3 ALP monitors, numerous jets and hose reel jets in use. Cause will be investigated tomorrow. Water from 6 street hydrants, 2 water carriers, and open water using 8 LPPs. Crews are in defensive mode.”
All original appliances had left the fireground by 1830. Pumps were reduced to 2 at this time which were:
24 Dartmouth WrT (242)
17 Torquay WrT (172)
Both the above were freshly crewed.
47 Plympton WrL (471) 2330 relief crews
55 Modbury WrL (551)
Thursday 07/10/04
13 Okehampton WrT (132) 0600 relief crews
45 Topsham WrT (452)
17 Torquay WrT (172) 1300 relief crews
28 Newton Abbott WrT (282)
2000: Reduced to 1 pump – night crew.
17 Torquay WrT (172) 2000 relief crew
Friday 08/10/04
32 Exeter WrT (322) 0030 relief crew
47 Plympton WrL (471) 0400 relief crew
20 Bovey Tracey WrL (201) 0800 relief crew
17 Torquay WrT (172) 1800 relief crew
Saturday 09/10/04
51 Plymstock WrL (511) 0015 relief crew
48 Camel’s Head WrT (482) 0500 relief crew
When 482 left it was decided to do revisits by officer.