Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Birstall Station

21/08/2026

11/08/2026

🔥 Incident Update: Quick Action Prevents Field Fire Escalation 🔥

Birstall White Watch have just returned from a deliberate field fire on Granite Way. Thanks to swift and assertive action by our crews, the fire was brought under control rapidly, keeping damage to a minimum.
This has been logged as an intentional ignition, as crews identified four separate small fires lit nearby. While managing the scene, the Incident Commander spotted additional smoke across the road. Upon investigation, four young people were found to be acting suspiciously.

Zero Tolerance for Arson
All four individuals have been reported to Leicestershire Police along with detailed descriptions.

To assist the police investigation, high-quality CCTV captured from our appliance cameras showing the same group walking through the area will be handed over as evidence.

Deliberate fires endanger our communities and tie up vital emergency resources that could be needed elsewhere. If you have any information regarding deliberate fire setting in the area, please report it to Leicestershire Police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

29/07/2026

This Sunday, we'll be holding a water safety event at Watermead Country Park, in association with the local Parkrun.

Each year, hundreds of people in the UK accidentally drown, with the summer seeing the highest occurrence of these preventable tragedies. More than half of them happen inland, not on the coast or out at sea.

Come along to our event, and meet guests from the RNLI, the Royal Life Saving Society, Swim England and other groups, to learn the do's and don'ts of water safety this Sunday 2nd of August, from 8:45 to 10:30 AM.

17/07/2026

☀️ Staying cool this summer shouldn’t mean putting your life at risk.

As the weather warms up, it can be tempting to take a dip in local lakes, rivers, or quarries. But looks can be incredibly deceiving. Did you know that most accidental drownings happen inland, not at the coast?

Before you or your loved ones head out, remember these vital facts from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service:

Hidden Dangers: Open water is often much colder and deeper than it appears, which can shock your body instantly.

High-Risk Groups: Statistically, children and young men are the most vulnerable to accidental drowning.

Know What to Do: If you see someone in trouble, DO NOT enter the water.
1. 📞 Call 999 immediately.
2. 🗣️ Tell them to float on their back.
3. 🪢 Throw them a rope or a flotation aid if available.
Let’s keep each other safe this season.

👉 For more life-saving water safety advice, scan the QR code on our poster or visit: www.leics-fire.gov.uk/watersafety

16/06/2026

This Saturday, as part of Drowning Prevention Week, we'll be holding a water safety event at Watermead Country Park, in association with the local Parkrun.

Each year, hundreds of people in the UK accidentally drown, with the summer seeing the highest occurrence of these preventable tragedies. More than half of them happen inland, not on the coast or out at sea.

Come along to our event, and meet guests from the RNLI, the Royal Life Saving Society, Swim England and other groups, to learn the do's and don'ts of water safety this Saturday 20th June, from 8:30 to 11am.

15/06/2026

This week is Drowning prevention 💦

Drowning can happen quickly and silently, but many incidents are preventable with the right knowledge and supervision.

✅ Always supervise children near water.
✅ Never swim alone.
✅ Know what to do in an emergency
✅ Respect the water, whether at the pool, beach, river, or lake.

A few simple precautions can save lives. We shall be at the Watermead park run event this Saturday 20th of June promoting water safety. 🚒

More information about Drowning prevention can be found on the Royal Life Saving Society’s page
https://www.rlss.org.uk/pages/category/drowning-prevention-week-campaign

09/06/2026

🚨 Water Rescue Training 🚨

Today, White Watch Birstall, alongside our colleagues from Loughborough, carried out water rescue training to maintain and develop our response capabilities for water-based incidents.

Training like this helps ensure our crews remain prepared, confident, and ready to respond when the public needs us most. Working in and around water presents unique challenges, and regular exercises allow us to practise vital rescue techniques in a safe and controlled environment.

🌊 Do you know the dangers of open water swimming?

Even on warm days, open water can be extremely dangerous due to:
❄️ Cold water shock – sudden immersion can cause involuntary gasping and loss of breathing control.
🌡️ Hypothermia – body temperature can drop rapidly, even in summer.
🌿 Hidden hazards – underwater weeds, debris, rocks, and sudden drop-offs.
💪 Strong currents – rivers and lakes can have unseen currents that quickly overpower swimmers.
😰 Cold water incapacitation – muscles can become weak, making it difficult to swim or stay afloat.
🌫️ Poor visibility – making it difficult to judge distances or spot hazards.
🚫 Isolation – many open water locations have no lifeguards or immediate assistance available.

📍 If you’re spending time near water, always know your location. We recommend downloading the What3Words app or familiarising yourself with your What3Words location. In an emergency, providing this three-word address can help emergency services find you quickly and accurately.

✅ Stay safe around water:
• Never swim alone.
• Enter the water gradually.
• Avoid alcohol before swimming.
• Keep children supervised at all times.
• Carry a charged mobile phone where possible.
• Call 999 and ask for Fire & Rescue if someone is in difficulty in inland water.

Stay safe and enjoy the water responsibly this summer. ☀️🚒🌊

02/06/2026

🚨 🔥 CHIMNEY FIRE!!! 🔥 🚨..Okay, not really! But we glad we got your attention. 😉
Tonight, White Watch is on duty, and our training theme is all about tackling chimney fires. The crew started by using traditional chimney rods to extinguish a simulated fire inside the flue of our training tower.
But what happens when standard gear isn't enough? We bring out the big guns. For this drill, that meant deploying our specialist Turntable Ladder to tackle the simulated blaze from above! 🚒✨
🪵 A Safety Message From White Watch
While we love practicing our skills, we’d much rather you never have to see us outside your house with a Turntable Ladder.
Did you know that regular maintenance is the absolute best way to prevent a real chimney fire? With the warmer weather finally here, now is the perfect time to book a professional chimney sweep! ☀️
Here is why you shouldn't wait until winter:
Beat the Rush: Professional sweeps get incredibly busy once the temperature drops. Book now to get your preferred slot!
Clear Out the Gunk: Burning wood and coal leaves behind creosote—a highly flammable byproduct. Getting it cleared out now ensures your home stays safe.
Bird Nest Season: Birds love building nests in cozy chimneys during the spring. A pro can safely check for and clear any blockages before you light your first autumn fire.
🛑 Protect Your Home
Even with a clean chimney, invisible dangers can still happen. We fully recommend that every home with a fireplace has:
1 Working Smoke Alarms on every level of the home.
2 A Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm in the same room as the fireplace to detect any deadly, odorless leaks from your flue or chimney.
When was the last time you had your chimney inspected and swept by a professional? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

01/06/2026

Child Safety Week 2026 runs from Monday 1 to Sunday 7 June. It’s an opportunity for families to build confidence and learn practical skills to manage the real risks children face every day.

This factsheet from the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) contains practical safety tips on how to prevent fires, plan your escape and teach children what to do in an emergency.

For more information follow the link to the CAPT page: https://capt.org.uk/child-safety-week/

19/05/2026