INDISCRIMINATE parking in a Tavistock street could have delayed a fire crew rushing to a recent emergency, the town's fire chief revealed yesterday (Wednesday).
The fire engine was called to tackle a kitchen fire in Bannawell Street late Sunday evening earlier this month.
Tavistock's chief fire officer Chris Neale said the crew had difficulty getting to the fire, but they had more trouble getting away from the scene afterwards — fire officers even had to awaken householders to move their vehicles.
'If we'd been in a rush, we would have had big problems,' he said. 'I feel very strongly about this and we will be taking it further.'
The fire started in a kitchen. Firemen had to use breathing apparatus to bring the blaze under control.
Mr Neale said the house suffered extensive smoke damage.