AFA, Dowding House, Commercial Road, Paddock Wood

Matfield were tipped out to an AFA at Dowding House on Commercial Road at around 18.45hrs last night. No fire was found.

Telegraph pole in road on Maidstone Rd, Matfield

Matfield and Paddock Wood were called too the scene of an accident at around 20.40hrs this evening where a car had left the road and knocked down a telegraph pole and cabling on the Maidstone Road between the fire station and Coppers Lane. A male was apprehended by police and the road closed by police until the arrival of BT to secure the area.

House Fire, Commercial Road, Paddock Wood

Matfield and Paddock Wood were turned out to a house fire in Commercial Road in Paddock Wood at around 21:00hrs this evening. The fire had been extinguished before both crews had arrived, however oxygen was administered to a 91 year old male who was evacuated from the property. An ambulance crew arrived to take care of the casualty who was suffering from smoke inhalation as we left the property.

Fuel Spillage after RTC on Goudhurst Road, Horsmonden

We were the only appliance called out to a fuel spillage at around 04:00hrs today after a driver lost control of their car between Horsmonden Village and Noakes Cold Stores. Police and paramedics also attended the scene and locals witnessed the occupants of the vehicle fleeing the scene before services arrived.

Standby at Tunbridge Wells

Matfield were called to standby at Tunbridge Wells at 0030 hours this morning but were turned around en route.

Gas Leak, Henwood Green Road, Pembury

Matfield were called to a gas leak on Henwood Green Road last night at around 21.45hrs. I did not ride on this one so have no further information on the incident.

Fire in field near Halfway House

Matfield were called out just before 20:00 hrs last night to reports of a fire in a field by a member of the public which turned out to be controlled burning.

Saturday evening and Sunday morning

Matfield joined the Police and an ambulance crew at Lamberhurst fireworks display between 17.00hrs and 19.30hrs on Saturday evening. Organisers put on a wonderful display of fireworks and lit the beacon in Lamberhurst Quarter on the green by the Swan public house.

On Sunday morning Matfield and Cranbrook were called to an automated fire alarm at Bedgebury School in Goudhurst at around 01.30hrs. Access was hindered initially by electric gates, however no fire was found at the site. We returned to Matfield at around 02.30hrs

Fire in field near Halfway House

Matfield were called to a fire in a field close to the Halfway House pub this evening at around 17.45hrs. The fire turned out to be controlled burning at a private residence which had been seen by a passing member of the public from Horsmonden Road.

AFA, 3663 depot, Paddock Wood

Matfield and Paddock Wood were called to an AFA at the 3663 depot on Transfesa at around 01.30hrs this morning which turned out to be a routine fire drill.

AFA, Camden Court, Chalket Lane, Pembury

As I have been away throughout October, activity has not been updated on the blog but Matfield were called out three times including a standby at Edenbridge last week.

Last night we were called out to Camden Court at around 22.50hrs but no fire was found.

Tunbridge Wells standby

Matfield were called to standby at Tunbridge Wells at around 20.50hrs this evening after the whole time and retained units were called to an incident at Frant Lakes. Cranbrook joined us at Tunbridge Wells shortly after and control sent us back to Matfield shortly after 21.15hrs which meant that we missed our usual Wednesday night football match against Paddock Wood at Mascalls!

Standby at Tunbridge Wells

Matfield were called to standby at Tunbridge Wells at about 11.00hrs on Sunday morning although we were turned round en route. Availability of the Tunbridge Wells retained unit has decreased recently which means this was the second standby request we have had for Tunbridge Wells recently.

Stubble Alight, Churn Lane, Horsmonden

Matfield were the only appliance sent out to reports of stubble alight in Horsmonden. I was on last reserve so did not ride.

Smoke Alarm Sounding, Mount Pleasant, Paddock Wood

Bleepers went off just before 20.00hrs last night for a smoke alarm sounding in a private residence in Paddock Wood. Paddock Wood were first at the property and a stop message was quickly relayed back to control just before we arrived at the scene.

Standby Tunbridge Wells Saturday morning

A crew of five from Matfield went to standby at Tunbridge Wells fire station this morning between 10.00 and 12.35hrs due to a fire in a commercial premises in Holden Park Road, Southborough.

AFA, Camden Court, Chalket Lane, Pembury

Matfield and Tunbridge Wells (rescue ladder) were called to an AFA at 2100hrs last night although no fire was found.

AFA, Mack Multiples, Paddock Wood

Matfield and Paddock Wood were called out to an AFA at Mack Multiples for a second time tonight just after 23.00hrs. No fire was found.

AFA, Mack Multiples, Paddock Wood

Matfield, Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells were called to an AFA at Macks on the Transfesa estate at around 19.50hrs this evening. No fire was found so quickly back to base.

AFA, Camden Court, Chalket Lane, Pembury

Matfield and Tunbridge Wells (rescue ladder) were called to an AFA at 0200hrs today although no fire was found.

Shed Fire at the Hop Farm this evening

Paddock Wood, Matfield and Tunbridge Wells were called out to a shed fire in an open field on one of the campsites at the Hop Farm. Water was used from all three pumps to extinguish and damp down. The timber building was completely destroyed and no one was injured.

AFA, British Car Auctions, Paddock Wood

Matfield and Paddock Wood were mobilised to an alarm sounding at British Car Auctions in Paddock Wood at 04.00 this morning. No fire was found.

AFA, Camden Court, Pembury

Matfield were called to an AFA at Camden Court at around 23.30 last night. I did not ride on this one as I was reserve.

Matfield Village Fete, Saturday 17th July

We will be at Matfield Village fete this Saturday afternoon from 1pm for people to come and look around the fire engine and meet some of the firemen.

BA training at Tonbridge

On Thursday evening Matfield went to Tonbridge for breathing apparatus training where the brief was to conduct search and rescue of a casualty from a confined space. The scenario here was that once the casualty had been found in a building, collapse would hinder the exit where BA cylinders and backplates were taken off and passed through a hole in the collapse along with the casualty to carry on with the task and complete the drill.

Houses and Flats Alight, High Street, Staplehurst

Matfield and Paddock Wood were called to standby at Marden fire station at around 03.30hrs this morning after Marden were called to a fire at flats on Staplehurst High Street. Initially the incident was reported as 'persons reported missing' however there turned out to be no life at risk. When the fire spread to a neighbouring terrace of houses, Matfield and Paddock Wood were called to the incident where we added to a string of BA crews which were deployed into the terrace to locate and extinguish the fire, a task made difficult due to the unusual and historic design of the building with hidden cavities. By around 0800hrs the fire had been extinguished. In terms of resources, I saw two Maidstone pumps, Marden, ourselves and Paddock Wood, Sittingbourne and Lenham, a reserve tender, a skylift to fight the fire from above, a water tender and incident support and command units. Police and paramedics were also at the scene and the High Street was completely closed.

Fire in road, Knowle Road, Brenchley

Matfield were sent out to look at what turned out to be rubbish which had been dumped in the middle of the road at 01.15 hrs on Wednesday which turned out to be smouldering.

Rubbish Alight, Lucks Lane, Paddock Wood

Bleeper went off at about 20.15hrs this evening for some rubbish alight in a field in Lucks Lane - what looked like the discarded unwanteds from a boot fair.

We were also in attendance for two AFAs last night at 12.15 and roughly 04.15 this morning at Sprivers, Horsmonden and East Barn, Farm Lane, Lamberhurst.

We will also be at Matfield village fete next Saturday afternoon for people to come and chat and have a look around the fire engine.

Van Alight, Tong Lane, Brenchley

Matfield were the only appliance in attendance for an abandoned van ablaze at the Goudhurst end of Tong Lane this evening. The van, a transit, was completely destroyed by the fire.

AFA, Camden Court, Pembury

Bleepers went of at 03.27hrs this morning for an AFA at Camden Court which Tunbridge Wells also turned out to. Quick stop message sent to control as no fire was found.

Horsmonden School Fete and Weekend Training

We will be at Horsmonden School's annual summer fete tomorrow which is a great opportunity for the kids to come and have a look around the fire engine and see what we do. The fete starts at 12.00hrs and finishes around 16.00hrs.

We also have three firefighters that will be doing breathing apparatus fire training at RAF Manston in the hot house which will be live fire training - and tomorrow is predicted to be one of the hottest days of the year so far!!

AFA, Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst

Bleepers went off at 3.27 this morning for an automated fire alarm sounding at Scotney Castle. Wadhurst from East Sussex and Matfield attended although there was no fire found.

Rubbish Alight, Tong Lane, Brenchley

Alerters went off again at around 23.15 hours for the second shout of the evening for rubbish reportedly alight on Tong Lane, Brenchley. I didn't ride this one as I was reserve.

RTC Persons trapped - Five Oak Green roundabout

Emergency services which included Matfield, Paddock Wood and Tunbridge Wells rescue pump ladder attended an RTC with persons reported at around 2110 hours on Friday evening. The roof was cut from a car which had left the road and collided with a tree - all crews were fully involved to free one female passenger for ambulance crews. Returned back to Matfield about an hour later.

Drill night shout - Smoke alarm Camden Court, Pembury

Whilst on station Thursday evening we were called out to the smoke alarm sounding at Camden Court, Pembury. Tunbridge Wells also attended but no fire was found.

Friday Evening AFA

Matfield were called out to a smoke alarm sounding in Paddock Wood at around 21.00hrs on Friday evening. No fire was found.

Car Alight in driveway, East Peckham

Matfield and Paddock Wood were called out at 01.14hrs this morning to a luxury car alight in a driveway in East Peckham. The fire was treated as suspicious and police were also at the scene. Owners had tried to save the car with a garden hose however the car was completely destroyed by the time we arrived.

Woods Alight at Marshley Harbour Woods, Pembury

I was not on call yesterday but Matfield were called out to woods alight at Marshley Harbour Woods, Pembury. No other information at this stage, bleeper time was at 16.51hrs.

Chimney Alight, School House Lane, Horsmonden

We were called out at 19.20 this evening to a chimney alight at an address in Horsmonden. This was a small fire, fairly easily dealt with and we returned to base an hour after leaving.

'Cooker Alight' and 'Cigarette on Sofa' in Paddock Wood

Two seperate shouts, the first was on Friday evening at around 19.10 reporting a cooker alight and the second at 4.50 on Sunday morning at Bowles Place, Paddock Wood. Both attended by Matfield and Paddock Wood and neither developed into serious incidents.

Paddock Wood and Marden were also called out as relief crews for the large fire in Aylesford yesterday afternoon and although Matfield were available, we were not used.

AFA, Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst

Matfield and Wadhurst were called out to an automated fire alarm at Scotney Castle just off the A21 at Lamberhurst at 03.31hrs. An alarm panel was sounding in the basement of the house but no fire was found.

Police assistance at RTC in Lamberhurst

Matfield were called to assist the police at an RTC involving two vehicles with a report of leaking fuel just before 20.00hrs on Friday evening. No danger was found and we returned to base immediately.

Two firefighters killed tackling a fire at a high-rise block of flats in Southampton

Our thoughts and prayers at Matfield go out to the families, friends and colleagues of firefighters James Shears and Alan Bannon who tragically lost their lives in a flat fire in Southampton last night.

AFA, Commercial Road, Paddock Wood

Paddock Wood and Matfield turned out to an AFA on Sunday evening in Commercial Road, Paddock Wood at 20.04hrs - no fire was found.

RTC, Church Road, Paddock Wood

Bleepers went off at around 20.15 on Wednesday to reports of an RTC persons trapped - Paddock Wood also attended. The call turned out to be more reassurance as no one involved required fire and rescue service assistance to be removed from the vehicle which had dissapeared through a hedge on a corner near Waitrose.

Chimney Alight, Gun and Spitroast Pub, Horsmonden

Matfield were called out to the Gun and Spitroast pub in Horsmonden around 19.15hrs on Friday. I did not ride but Matfield were the only appliance in attendance.

Rose & Crown Pub, East Peckham second call out

Paddock Wood and Matfield were called out to the Rose and Crown pub in East Peckham again at around 3am Thursday morning. Two small seats of fire were found inside the building which were extinguished by one BA crew - we remained at the scene for about to and a half hours due to the suspicious nature of the incident.

Four AFAs in 24 hours over Sunday and Monday morning

Sunday 08.01hrs - Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst - first and only attendance. Water information - st entrance lake unlimited supply.

Sunday 12.53hrs - Camden Court, Chalket Lane Pembury - resources list FJK77p1 (Matfield) and FJK74R1 (Tunbridge Wells)

Sunday 15.38hrs - Camden Court, Chalket Lane, Pembury - FJK77p1 and FJK74R1

Monday morning 05.10hrs - 3663 Transfesa, Paddock Wood - Paddock Wood, Matfield and Tunbridge Wells retained.

No fires found

Joint training exercise at Bethany School near Marden

Matfield, Marden, Cranbrook and Hawkhurst crews engaged in a joint training exercise at the Bethany School on Thursday evening. The brief was to search a dormitory building on the site with four persons missing. Nobody at the school apart from organisers and the four 'casualties' knew about the exercise in order that a real life evacuation of the building was carried out. All four casualties were found and brought out and a debrief given in the school refectory. Many thanks to the Bethany School for the use of their facilities on an evening which benefited everyone involved.

House Alight, Queens Street, Paddock Wood

Paddock Wood and Matfield were sent out to a house alight at Queens Street at around 3am this morning - no persons reported missing. The house was a small single storey timber building on a mobile home site which was well ablaze when we arrived and completely destroyed. Water was used from an adjacent swimming pool to put the fire out. I wore breathing apparatus for this one.

AFA, Bayham Abbey, Lamberhurst

Matfield were tipped out to an AFA at Bayham Abbey at around 11.15hrs on Sunday morning - no fire reported.

Fire at Rose and Crown pub, East Peckham

Matfield were called to a fire in the Rose and Crown in East Peckham at around 21.50 on Satruday evening. More information to follow.

AFA, Scotney Castle, Lamberhurst

Matfield were the only appliance tipped out to an AFA at Scotney Castle on Sunday night at 18.23hrs with no fire reported.

Chimney Fire, Lamberhurst Quarter, Wednesday Evening

Matfield and Paddock Wood fire stations use the astro turf at Mascalls for a Wednesday night kick about every week - it had to happen before long and last night Matfield's bleepers went off mid-game for a Chimney Fire over in Lamberhurst. Bleepers went off around 21.45hrs and we returned to Matfield just before 23.00hrs - good night out!!

AFA, Pembury Hospital, Pembury

Tunbridge Wells, Matfield and Paddock Wood attended an AFA at Pembury hospital at around 23.00 hrs on Monday evening. No fire incident reported.

Chimney Fire, Maidstone Road, Horsmonden

Matfield were the only unit mobilised to a chimney fire on Maidstone Road in Horsmonden at around 15.30 on Sunday afternoon.

Thursday Night AFA

Matfield were called to an AFA at around 11.45pm at a Unit in Eldon Way Paddock Wood. As last reserve, I did not ride.

Positive pressure ventilation training

Paddock Wood and Matfield fire stations got together on Thursday evening for a training session on 'positive pressure ventilation' techniques. This involves ventilation of buildings with powerful fans to clear fire gasses in a controlled manner to allow firefighting and inject breathable air into buildings.

AFA Mack Multiples, Paddock Wood

Bleepers went off at 2.45am for an AFA at fruit packhouse, Mack Multiples in Paddock Wood. Tunbridge Wells and Paddock Wood also in attendance. Crews from Paddock Wood and Matfield searched the entire building (huge!) to locate the source of the alarm but there was no danger. Back to base an hour later.

BA training at Manston for Matfield

A team of six from Matfield are at Manston today for breathing apparatus training which will comprise various lectures and fire wears including search and rescue in buildings. Matfield joined Chatham fire station for the exercise and a second team will attend later in the year.