Fun and games at Firefighters' Fête

THOUSANDS turned out for a sizzling firemen's fete at Peaks Lane Fire Station yesterday.

The sun beamed down on visitors while firefighters turned up the heat with scores of stalls, games, prizes and rides.

But behind the enjoyment was a serious message that fire can kill and ruin lives.

Community protection unit manager for North East Lincolnshire Nick Tharratt said: "This is an opportunity to show what we have to offer the community in the way of security and protection – from road safety to preventing fires.

"We want people to have fun but we are also getting the fire safety message across by engaging with them, not just on the day of a fire, but also on a normal day, too."

Now in its 46th year, the campaign for 2013 was "Your Grill Can Kill" following a recent regional spike in the number of cooking-related fires.

Community safety officers showed demonstrations on how cooker and chip pan fires can quickly get out of hand – and what to do if it happens to you.

North East Lincolnshire's fete is the highest attending in the country and last year raised thousands for the Firefighters' Charity.

Children got to dunk a fireman, drive dodgems, zoom down slides and enjoy delicious fairground food while parents and grandparents watched on with joy.

Firemen fans Joseph Daniels, 2, and brother, Archie, 1, dressed up as their heroes for the day.

Mum Erica Hill, 29, from Healing, said: "They love firefighters and are having a great day. Joseph wants to go on everything!"

Father-of-one Paul Speed enjoyed the day with his wife Caroline and daughter Sophie, 1.

He said: "You normally see firefighters under negative circumstances so it's nice to see them having fun. It is a really good, popular, annual event."

School pals Georgia Dainty, Laura Adamson and Lauren Campbell, 12, took home soft toy prizes.

Georgia said: "It is a great way to spend the holidays!"