A witness to a garage fire which destroyed much of a family’s home, has praised “fantastic firefighters” for tackling the blaze and saving the house.

They also claimed firefighters should be one of Surrey County Council’s top budgetary priorities – after the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) secretary for the south east slammed proposed cuts totalling £10million.

The neighbour watched as firefighters from six stations across Surrey braved remarkably hot flames and a gas explosion party way through the blaze in Eastwick Drive, Bookham, to tackle the fire and contain the worst damage to the garage.

The family-of-three who lived at the house were out as the fire took hold just before 6pm on Monday (July 31), but neighbours who had seen smoke pouring from the large double garage called emergency services.

From Tuesday: Family home in Great Bookham damaged by 'one of the hottest fires' firefighters have seen - and it could have been worse

Crews worked throughout the night, cutting away the burned wood from the house, and ensuring it was not going to reignite.

A firefighter from Leatherhead fire station described it as “one of the hottest house fires I have ever been in”.

The neighbour this week wrote to the crew at Leatherhead fire station – who were joined by colleagues from Banstead, Epsom, Dorking, Reigate and Painshill – to share their appreciation. They wrote: “I’d like to register my thanks to the fantastic firefighters from across Surrey who responded so efficiently to the house fire in Eastwick Drive, Bookham on Monday, July 31.

“Through their expertise and dedication they were able to save the house from being burnt down by containing the blaze to the garage. This was despite facing the dangerous situation of a gas explosion part-way through the blaze.”

The neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, added: “I would also like to register my support for a continuation in the current location of fire stations and the levels of firefighter personnel.

“Without support from a number of fire stations, within easy reach of Bookham, then I doubt the house would have been saved, as it required six fire tenders.

“Fortunately on this occasion no one was in the house but if it had been occupied then a similar level and speed of response would be needed to save lives.

“We must put firefighters at the top of the council’s budget priorities.”

Surrey Comet:
Pic credit: Leatherhead fire station

Their support for Surrey’s firefighters and Rescue comes after FBU members passed a vote of no confidence in the country council – which runs Surrey Fire and Rescue – over fears fire stations could be cut and jobs lost after £10million worth of budget cuts.

From June: Surrey fire cuts will lead to avoidable deaths, union claims, as firefighters declare no confidence in county council

Union figures suggested that in the 12 years to 2022 full-time firefighter posts in the county could have fallen by 69 per cent.

Firefighters from stations across the county have told the Epsom Guardian that potential reductions in full-time posts could mean two crew members are sent out to fires per station instead of the four who currently attend jobs.

Surrey Fire and Rescue stated that residents’ safety was “paramount” in its decisions, but the authority was facing “huge financial pressures”.

A Surrey Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “The safety of Surrey residents is paramount in all decisions that are made and, despite the huge financial pressures we face due to the rising need for services such as social care for children and adults and school places, we’re confident we’ll still be able to provide an effective and efficient fire and rescue service to keep them safe.

“The demands on the fire service are changing and we’re being called to about half the number of fires we were a decade ago. Our focus is on making the best use of our resources to put the service on a solid financial footing as well as equipping our firefighters for the 21st century.”

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