Chamber blaze highlights cutback fears (From Western Telegraph)

Chamber blaze highlights cutback fears

It wasn't hot air from Haverfordwest town councillors which caused smoke to appear in the council chamber on Thursday evening.

It was a fire which had broken out in the boiler room below.

The swift response of Haverfordwest firefighters averted what could have been a serious blaze.

But councillors were later left wondering what the outcome would have been if 24-hour fire cover had already been axed at the local station.

First indications of the fire were noticed at around 6.40pm by town clerk Jane Clark and two councillors who had arrived early for the 7pm meeting.

"We smelt something and at first thought it was my computer. When we saw it wasn't we checked the floor downstairs, which is used by the county council, but again there was nothing.

"It was only when some of the councillors went into the council chamber they saw it was filled with smoke. We went outside and saw smoke coming from the boiler room and then dialled 999.

"I hardly had time to call the county council's caretaker, when two fire engines arrived," added Mrs Clark.

"They forced the door and found a small fire in the water heater."

The council meeting eventually started half an hour late and the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

The town council has been active in its opposition to a cutback in 24-hour manning at Haverfordwest Fire Station, and former mayor Cllr Barbara Shone recently presented a petition at the Welsh Assembly.

After the fire last week, councillors pledged to do everything in their power to stop the cutback.

"This fire was in the evening and if the firemen had to first go from their homes to the fire station, it would have taken them longer to respond," said Mrs Clark.

"The fire would certainly have taken more of a hold."