Firefighters descend on disused nightclub to hone their skills

Students and training dummies will be used as ‘casualties’ as firefighters simulate what would happen if a blaze took hold in a complex building containing large numbers of people.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s (WYFRS) ‘Exercise Fantazia’ will take place at Ethos and Visage nightclubs, Folly Hall Mills on St Thomas’ Road, from 9.30am.

It will involve around eight fire engines from across West Yorkshire and there will be around 15 live ‘casualties’ on the day, acted by Public Service students from Kirklees College in Huddersfield.

Fire officers will demonstrate their leadership skills at the developing incident and crews will be evaluated on search and rescue techniques at an unknown, large and complicated building.

Watch Manager Kevin Walsh said: “This will be a training exercise and not the real thing, so please do not be alarmed if you see fire engines in the area.

“No real fires will be set and smoke will be synthetic only. Exercises like this help firefighters ensure they are ready for any eventuality and we appreciate the public’s consideration in bearing with us.”

WYFRS thanked The Rank Group PLC (Grosvenor Casino) for providing the opportunity to use their premises for realistic training, which plays a vital part in preparing crews for operational incidents.