A GARDENER?S quick thinking and common sense prevented a catastrophe in Tavistock this week. The gardener was working in Downlea, off Down Road, when he heard smoke alarms going off. He phoned the fire brigade immediately and his quick actions almost certainly prevented a full-blown fire. Station commander Tim Smith said: ?He did exactly the right thing. His actions certainly saved the kitchen if not the whole house.? The fire brigade had to force entry into the house where a pot of vegetables had been left boiling on the stove. They had boiled dry and a fire had caught but the fire brigade were there quick enough, thanks to the quick thinking gardener, to prevent any lasting damage. l Firefighters were called to Orestocks Crossroads in Bere Alston last Monday after a report of a van on fire. One crew from Bere Alston attended the scene just after noon and found the fire involved the engine compartment of the van, and the cab was slightly damaged. Firefighters used one hosereel and two breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze.
