It's been absolutely ages since we've had a night time shout. Months in fact.
But at 2.20am this morning that little record went out of the window as I went out of the door!
Two pumps to a caravan on fire, next to derelict shop at the bottom of The Ravine – at least that's what I think the tip sheet said! It wouldn't be the first time that someones read one thing but the tip sheet, on closer inspection and by someone who is more awake, has actually said someting completely different…
Plenty of smoke wafting about in the sea breeze as we pull up behind Ladder 1. Cheesey supplies them with our tank of water as I head off in the direction of the nearest hydrant. Thankfully, we have done a number of drills in this area so the hydrant was easily found. This hydrant is at the end of the line which, quite possibly, also supplies the Birds Eye factory. My kitchen tap has got more pressure behind it than this hydrant. Ah well, beggars can't be choosers…
It's actually a motor home that's been completely burnt out. Tad suspicious as to how an unattended vehicle can spontaneously combust. But this is Lowestoft and strange things do happen in the wee small hours.
With the wind and spray whipping in off the North Sea which is only 100m away I'm glad this is September and not January…
Back to the fire station an hour after leaving and me heading for a snooze on the settee.