SCORES of heroes who battled in vain to save the burning Center Parcs plaza, today won praise from Suffolk's chief fire officer.Malcolm Alcock spoke after his team's investigation revealed that roofing contractors had started the blaze on April 4.
SCORES of heroes who battled in vain to save the burning Center Parcs plaza, today won praise from Suffolk's chief fire officer.
Malcolm Alcock spoke after his team's investigation revealed that roofing contractors had started the blaze on April 4.
He said the contractors and the holiday park's own fire team tried to contain the fire, but were unable to prevent it spreading until much of the flat roofing area was alight.
He said: "We have worked very closely with Center Parcs staff and management throughout this investigation. It is clear that the efficient actions of their staff to quickly alert the fire brigade and initiate their emergency fire procedures ensured that everyone was successfully evacuated and nobody was hurt.
More than 40 crews of firefighters attended the fire, and Mr Alcock added: "I cannot praise the fire crews from the four counties enough.
"This was a demanding fire which tested everybody to their limits.
"Throughout the entire incident, crews were up against a rapidly developing fire, thick smoke and physically punishing conditions without any prospect of early relief.
"It is a tribute to their endurance and professionalism that so much of the structure was saved, and that the fire did not spread through surrounding woodland to other risks."
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