A HOUSE fire in Mere has highlighted the need for more on-call firefighters.

The fire in The Fields, which broke out in a shed and spread to a neighbouring property, was reported at around 10.50am this morning (Friday, July 26).

The fire service says due to the lack of "available firefighters" from Mere Fire Station crews from Gillingham and Shaftesbury and Wincanton in Somerset (Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service) were called in to help.

Area manager Andy Cole, who attended the incident, said: “Firefighters did a great job of saving the house involved in this incident. This fire occurred about 300m from Mere Fire Station but unfortunately, due to lack of available firefighters, Mere was not available to attend."

On-call firefighters are paid members of staff who respond to their local station when they are required to attend incidents and help their local community.

They receive the same levels of training and support as their wholetime firefighters.

Mr Cole said: "We have and continue to try to recruit on-call firefighters across Dorset and Wiltshire, this type of incident shows exactly why we need these new recruits. It took firefighters from Gillingham 12 minutes from the call to arrive at this incident and if Mere had been available, this response time could have been cut dramatically.”

Anyone interested in becoming an on-call firefighter go to dwfire.org.uk/working-for-us/on-call-firefighters/