Fundraiser started for voluntary fire service

A crowd fundraiser has been started to raise money for firefighters involved in a major incident on Friday.

Fire crews and residents were involved in tackling a gorse fire on Little Sark which covered about 20,000 sq m (215,000 sq ft).

Sark Fire and Rescue service is made entirely of volunteers and Kevin Adams, Sark's chief fire officer, described it as a "herculean effort by the whole of Sark".

A fundraiser was set up by the community to help fund "replacing damaged equipment, purchasing new fittings and essential firefighting resources".

On Tuesday £8,015 of the £11,000 goal had been raised.

Kayleigh Hubbard, who created the fundraiser, said: "From the very first call, these incredible volunteers put everything else aside to protect their island.

"They spent more than 30 hours straight battling the blaze, saving homes, protecting lives and working in incredibly difficult conditions."

Sark does not have any mains water, with supplies taken from private wells, boreholes and private swimming pools.

Underground reservoirs opened and private swimming pools were offered to keep water flowing to the firefighters.

More than 400 tonnes of water was used to extinguish a fire with some residents "temporarily running out" of water, according to Paul Armogie, Speaker of Chief Pleas.

The fundraiser said the "incredible effort has taken its toll" with equipment had resources damaged and needing replacement.

It added: "To every firefighter, emergency responder, volunteer and member of the community who worked tirelessly to protect Sark over those long hours—thank you.

"Your courage, dedication and selflessness have been nothing short of extraordinary."

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