A QUICK-thinking Tavistock fireman whose car almost went up in flames last week drove to the fire station to put it out.
Tim Smith was in his Astramax van when smoke started pouring out from under the dashboard. Being near to the station he immediately drove there and extinguished a smouldering fan heater motor.
Tim, who carries an extinguisher in his van, warned other motorists to have their fans checked periodically, especially with all the damp, cold mornings when the heaters were working overtime.
He also advised motorists to buy a carbon dioxide extinguisher, which could prevent their vehicles being badly damaged in the event of a fire.
l Chillaton residents stepped in to help their local fire crew on Thursday night when the fire engine slipped off the road in the ice.
The Tavistock fire crew had extinguished a chimney fire in the village and were about to return home when the vehicle slid on ice.
Sub-officer Tim Smith said the residents rallied round, bringing salt and gravel so the fire crew could extricate themselves.
'We'd like to say thanks to all the local residents for their help,' he said.