WATCH: Flaming good fun at fire station open day

Big crowds turned out to enjoy the sunshine as the doors were thrown open at Lerwick Fire Station.

There has been a two-year gap since the last open day but today’s event was well-supported with dozens of families taking the chance to have a look around some of the engines and play a few fun games.

Youngsters lined up to “Dook the Fire Fighter” – the chance of hitting a target to plunge one of the crew into a tank of water proved as popular as ever. And there was an explosive demonstration showing the dangers of mixing hot oil with water.

For watch manager Jim Moar, who was manning the barbecue, it was the last open day he will be involved in. He is retiring at the end of November after 45 years on the crew.

He said it was great to see so many people out supporting the fire service. “It’s always a good day. It’s good to see the crews together and see the amount of people [supporting it].

“It’s great on a glorious day like this.”

With a mind to his looming retirement Jim added: “When I joined I was 18 and I was the youngest by a bit. Now I’m the oldest so I have seen a whole lot come and go.”

For the open day teas were being served along with tombola stalls, a golf putting game and a bouncy castle inside the station. But a lot of the fun was being had outside where visitors could try on breathing apparatus and search for a “casualty” inside a closed shipping container. Many were keen to try the claustrophobic and dark experience.

Other bairns were keen to have a shot with a hose to extinguish the fires in the station’s purpose built mini “hoose”.

Behind the fun, is the chance to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity and various local good causes. The busy stalls will have helped bring in plenty of cash. More in next week’s Shetland Times.