Disused spinning mill provides perfect training area for firefighters

IT may have fallen into disrepair but that didn't stop Buckfastleigh's firefighters from making good use of Buckfast's old spinning mill for a training exercise.

Firefighters from Buckfastleigh were joined by colleagues from Bovey Tracey, Ashburton and Torquay for the joint training exercise, which saw the disused building act as a backdrop for the scenario.

This mock exercise involved a disused industrial building frequented by rough sleepers where a fire had started with persons believed to be inside the building.

Decked out in Breathing Apparatus (BA) gear, the firefighters were faced with a considerable challenge as the scenario necessitated constant changes in levels - the firefighters, however, overcame these hurdles and the exercise was thoroughly enjoyed by all those involved.

A spokesman for Buckfastleigh Fire Station said: 'We would like to tank Buckfast Abbey for allowing us to sue the building and facilitating such a great operational training event.'