Gas leak at Hooper, Tunbridge Wells, Saturday afternoon

Matfield were brought in as a relief crew for a gas leak incident at Hoopers in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday afternoon. A crew of four mobilised at around 3.30pm and stayed at the incident for around three hours. Two appliances were at the incident at all times.

Car Alight, East Peckham

Second call of Thursday evening was to a car alight in East Peckham at around 21.30hrs - I was on reserve crew so did not ride on this one.

Chimney Fire, Colts Hill

We were on station at about 19.30hrs on Thursday evening when the alarm went off for a chimney fire in Colts Hill. Minimal damage was caused to the flue as the fire was contained very quickly and we returned to base shortly afterwards

Lamberhurst firework display

We will be at Lamberhurst firework display from 17.30hrs this evening for public safety and fire safety awareness which is also a chance for kids and mums and dads to have a look around the fire engine.

Keep Safe this bonfire night

This years bonfire night coincides with our drill night which means we will be on station between 19.00hrs and 22.00hrs this evening. Happy bonfire night to everyone, have fun and keep safe wherever you are going to watch the fireworks!

AFA, Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst

2.30am Saturday morning bleepers went off for an AFA at Scotney Castle. Crew of six rode - no fire found, back to base shortly after.

AFA, Pembury Hospital, Pembury

Alerters went off around 23.45hrs for an automated fire alarm at Pembury Hospital. We attended along with Tunbridge Wells and both laid up our appliances in the entrance road for a short while as there was no fire. Back to base within half hour of leaving Matfield.

Good availabilty the last month.

Our availability has been pretty good over the last month even though we have only had three shouts. We have one firefighter who will be going in for driver training which will hopefully increase our drivers to five. In the meantime if any men or women are interested in joining Matfield fire station and doing something truely fulfilling for the local community, then pop in and see us on a Thursday evening between 19.30hrs and 21.30hrs when we will be on station.

Car Alight, Cryals Road, Brenchley

Matfield were called out to a car alight in Cryals Road just after 1.30am on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. I was last reserve on this run so didn't ride as we had good availability last night.

Call to a bedroom fire in Paddock Wood Wednesday evening.

I had just got into bed on Wednesday night when the bleeper went off. The printer showed a bedroom fire at a property in Forest Road, Paddock Wood but also said the fire was already out. Paddock Wood were in first attendance. Some belongings were removed from the upstairs of the property to ensure there was no further risk and we returned to base at around 23.00hrs

AFA, Camden House, Pembury

Matfield were called out to an automated fire alarm at Camden House in Pembury at 8.06am on Saturday morning. No further information on the incident as I did not ride.

Area Commander's visit for Thursday Drill Night

Matfield welcomed South Division's Area Commander Martin Adams to the fire station on Thursday night to talk about everything from issues on the fireground to the bigger picture of modernisation within the service itself. This was a fantastic open forum for us which helps KFRS continue to improve and deliver on the first class service we provide.

First Chimney Fire of the winter.

Bleepers went off just after 7pm on Tuesday evening for the first chimney fire of the 'season'. We were the only crew in attendance with five riding. The flue was opened up fairly quickly and we used a positive displacement pump and rodding to spray water up the chimney and extinguish the fire to prevent it from spreading. Returned to the fire station just over an hour later.

RTC Person trapped on Three Elm Lane, Tonbridge

We were called out to a rush hour incident at around 7.30am Tuesday morning on Three Elm Lane, Tonbridge where a motorist had left the road and ended up in a ditch upside down and trapped. Tonbridge day crew were first in attendance and got cutting equipment onto the vehicle to free the female occupant. Paramedics and ambulance were also at the scene along with police and the occupant had reportedly got away with minor injuries.

Station Road Fire, Paddock Wood

Matfield were second in attendance to a fire at a storage unit in Station Road, Paddock Wood. Matfield provided Paddock Wood with water from a hydrant as well as having one delivery to the side of the building. Entry control was set up for breathing apparatus although no crews were committed into the building. Two appliances from Tonbridge and one from Strood also turned out as well as an incident support unit. Incident support bagged up and removed personal protective equipment of some of the firefighters due to asbestos contamination risk from the roof of the building.

Multiple fires at farm in Yalding - five appliances

We were the fourth appliance in attendance at three seperate fires at a farm in Lughorse Lane, Yalding which saw a storage facility and contents destroyed along with two mobile cabins used for sanitary and cooking - in total Maistone, Tonbridge, Matfield, Paddock Wood and Marden attended along with an Incident Command Unit. Propane cylinders and fertiliser posed risks for crews that brought the height of the blazes under control fairly quickly. Bleepers went off at 4.50am and we returned just after 8am leaving two crews at the scene damping down.

Matfield and Wadhurst attend hay fire at Bewl Water

Just before 1.00am Matfield and Wadhurst (in their brand new appliance) were sent out to Bewl Water where hay bales had caught light. Conveniently there was a hydrant very close to the fire to provide water although at Bewl there was never going to be a shortage. Back at base just over an hour later.

AFA Kent and Sussex Hospital, Drills at Tonbridge

Matfield were tipped out to Kent & Sussex Hospital on Thursday afternoon just after 5pm for an automated fire alarm along with Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. There was no fire although the first communication had reported that smoke had been smelt. Thursday evening also saw Matfield working with Marden over at Tonbridge on fire drills in the fire house and drill yard. Two breathing apparatus crews pulled three casualties out of the fire house in a simulated exercise with around fourteen firefighters.

Conservatory fire at house on Maidstone Road

Matfield were mobilised at around 6pm today to reports of a conservatory fire on Maidstone Road in Horsmonden. A crew of four rode - I did not ride so have no further information yet on the incident.

Car alight off Green Lane, Paddock Wood

Matfield were mobilised to reports of 'car alight' in playing fields off Green Lane at around 3.30am Saturday morning. The car had been abandoned in the playing fields and was 100% destroyed upon arrival. The fire was quickly extinguished and we returned to base after picking up water in Paddock Wood.

RTC attended on Monday evening

Matfield attended an RTC on Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood on Monday evening at around 7pm. Media reports that two people were taken to Maidstone hospital.

Railway Sleeper fire in Tong Lane

Alerters went off at around 9.45pm after a 999 call for a fire at a farm in Tong Lane. Matfield were first in attendance to what was a stack of railway sleepers alight. Cranbrook also attended and the fire was put out and prevented from spreading. Back at base around 11.45pm.

RTC, A21 towards Lamberhurst from Kippings Cross

Matfield and Tunbridge Wells were called by the Police service upon fears of fuel leakage after an RTC on the A21 at around 4am Sunday. One car was involved in the incident which reportedly had three occupants. Matfield spent a short while clearing debris before returning to base.

Hose coiling drills at Tonbridge

Matfield personnel went over to Tonbridge drill yard on Thursday night for training on hose coiling, an effective way of taking larger lengths of hosing into confined spaces. Breathing apparatus wearers were committed to the fire house with an entry control point set up to simulate a real life situation.

Containers alight, Banbridges, East Peckham

Due to confined firefighting conditions, fire spread through several containers used as offices and storage in East Peckham on Saturday evening/Sunday morning. Bleepers went off at around 9.30pm and Paddock Wood were first on scene followed by Matfield. Matfield's appliance pumped water from the hydrant and as fire spread Tonbridge rescue pump ladder and retained unit arrived along with Maidstone, Strood and Sevenoaks and an incident command unit. Urban Search and Rescue (USAR unit, above) specialist team were deployed to cut into containers where fire could not be accessed. Police closed the road at the back of Somerfield and by 3am Rusthall and Larkfield arrived to provide relief and continue damping down.

Matfield Village Fete

Matfield fire station will be at the village fete today to promote fire safety and answer questions. A good chance for kids (or mums and dads!) to sit in the back of the fire engine and meet us.

AFA, Margaret Fisher House, Old Kent Road, Paddock Wood

Third AFA of the night - turned out with Paddock Wood. Once again no fire found. Three AFAs spread out throughout the night is rare. There'll be some tired people at work today.

AFA, African Express, Transfesa

2.15am Tuesday morning turned out to African Express along with Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells to an other automated fire alarm. No fire found.

AFA, Blantyre House Prison, Goudhurst

Bleeper went off just as Andy Murray was about to go into the quarter finals of Wimbledon! Blantyre House prison, Goudhurst AFA although I did not ride, we had a near full turnout of crew - luckily Andy Murray had made it into the quarters when I got back.

RTC Persons trapped on Colts Hill, Paddock Wood

Four appliances including two pumps and two rescue ladders attended an RTC along with ambulance and police on Colts Hill at around 12.30am. No sooner had we got out of the appliance, we were heading back to base, no other information on the incident. (Resources FJKK77P1(Matfield),FJK74R1,FJK73P1,FJK72R1)

Matfield and Paddock Wood called to Mascalls School at 12.30am

The message from control was "fire" at half past midnight so the first thoughts are that it could be a big one. Someone had reported seeing sparks coming from the back of the building but an extensive search of the site by Paddock Wood and surrounding woodland by Matfield did not find any fire. The school is well lit at night which could have deceived the caller. Back to base around 1.15am.

Youths set fire to hay bales in Haymans Hill

A member of public had reported youths deliberately setting fire to bales of hay in a field off Haymans Hill. Matfield bleepers went off at around 18.55hrs and we were the only unit called to the scene. The fire was contained fairly quickly and after picking up water in Horsmonden we returned at around 20.00hrs.

Fuel Spillage A21

Matfield were mobilised at around 2300hrs after reports of a fuel spillage along the A21. No drama. Back to base!

RTC along A21 early Sunday morning

Emergency services were called to an RTC just after 5am on Sunday morning. A car had left the road and ended up down an embankment. Matfield helped out with traffic duties and assisting the police. Tunbridge Wells whole time were also in attendance.

Shed Fire in Commercial Road, Paddock Wood

Mobilised at 11.04pm on Monday evening to a shed fire at the rear of a property in Paddock Wood. Paddock Wood were in first attendance, whilst Matfield gained access to the property from a road at the rear. Fire was quickly contained but completely destroyed the property.

Reported car fuel leak on A21

Another incident on the A21, Matfield were mobilised along with Tunbridge Wells just after 7pm to reports of fuel leaking from a car. Once again there was no danger although the stretch of road just beyond Kippings Cross southbound was reduced to one lane for a short time.

Suspected fuel leak at Kippings Cross Service Station

Matfield were mobilised at around 10am on Sunday morning to reports of a fuel leak at the BP petrol station at Kippings Cross. A comprehensive investigation of the site revealed there was no leak - returned to base approximately an hour later.

Brenchley School Fete

We will be at Brenchley School fete today so the public will be able to look around the appliance and ask questions.

2 AFAs on Friday night in Pembury

Matfield attended two AFAs in Pembury between 2.15am and 4am on Friday night/Saturday morning. Tunbridge Wells whole time were in attendance at the responses which were both at the same premises. No fire was found.

RTC Fairmans Lane, Brenchley

My bleeper went off over in Maidstone at around 2.10pm today - Matfield were called out to reports of an RTC persons trapped in Fairmans Lane, Brenchley. Two cars had collided resulting in at least one person being taken to hospital. Matfield performed glass management and stabilisation on one of the vehicles before the casualty was removed.

Hydrant drills and hose running at Tonbridge

On Thursday evening Matfield went to Tonbridge fire station. The first drill was to pump water from the hydrant for two covering jets with one hosereel on the roof of the fire house with two BA wearers. This was followed by general hose running which was timed with penalties for the losing pairs.

AFA, African Express, Transfesa Way

We turned out to the second AFA at African Express in a month at 8.12am on Friday morning. One I didn't turn out to so I'm not sure who else turned out for it - last time it was Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells wholetime when it went off twice in the same night.

Karting day at Buckmore Park

Everyone lining up on the grid and as it was Tosh's leaving do, he was presented with a couple of keepsakes by Station Manager, Dave Underdown.

Corporate Management Board visit Matfield

Thursday night saw the Corporate Management Board(CMB) visit Matfield to meet the crew for a questions and answers session. The session covered a range of topics allowing service personnel to interact with decision makers within the organisation.

Refurbishment of lecture room finished

We will be 'available at base' this evening between 7.30pm and 9.30pm as it is drill night. This means we get to use the kitchen and lecture room pretty much for the first time since the refurbishment was finished at the fire station!

Good availabilty this week

Which means we will be on the run until about 1.30pm everyday then back on at 6pm.

AFA, Goudhurst Road, Cranbrook

Mobilised at around 10.45am today in response to an AFA in Cranbrook. Crew of four rode, control received stop message from Cranbrook whilst en route so turned round before Goudhurst and came back.

RTC training

Last Thursday's drill night Matfield went over to Tonbridge fireground for RTC training - under observation from a KFRS trainer, we performed glass management and stabilisation on two vehicles in the vehicle compound. In normal circumstances this would be performed before a rescue pump ladder arrives with cutting gear.

Blantyre Prison, Goudhurst AFA

Automated fire alarm at Blantyre House Prison in Goudhurst went off just after midnight Tuesday 18th May - false alarm. Hawkhurst at least were also in attendance, couldn't quite see out the back of the cab if there were any other appliances there.

Blue Bell Cafe Fire

Happened just over a week before the blog started. Mobilised at about 2.15 am we were second on scene after Paddock Wood. The fire was at it's peak when we arrived - really raging. Drew water from a nearby stream and created a relay to Paddock Wood's pump. Marden, Tonbridge, Maidstone then Strood turned up on top of an incident command unit and a command support unit. The worst of the fire was over by around 3.30am before damping down. Got back about 5.30am, Paddock Wood were the last to leave the scene.

Fog mistaken for smoke

5.45am Friday 22nd May a member of public reported seeing smoke in the area on the A21 towards Lamberhurst - Matfield and Tunbridge Wells turned out. We joined the A21 just as Tunbridge Wells were flying down towards Kipping Cross - twenty minutes of driving around but it was just a thick but low lying fog - easy mistake to make!

Garage Fire in Paddock Wood

Less than 30 minutes after returning from the RTC in Seven Mile Lane, the bleepers went off again. This time reports of a garage alight in Warrington Road, Paddock Wood. It was advised that the garage was attached although it was detached from the house. Paddock Wood in first attendance and when we arrived we set up a relay from our appliance to Paddock Wood's although this was not needed. The fire was contained fairly pretty quickly but unfortunately inflicted considerable damage on the building.

RTC on Seven Mile Lane

Mobilised at around 6.15pm on Sunday evening to an accident on Seven Mile Lane with a report of a person trapped in a vehicle. Crew of 5 from Matfield attended along with paramedics, police, Paddock Wood's crew and Tonbridge wholetime unit. One female was taken to hospital. One car was on it's roof in the road whilst the other laid in a back garden having left the road and having clumped a garage and taken out a fence. Scene looked messy.