Whaley Bridge: Newark and Collingham fire crews still battling dam emergency

Published: 16:47, 03 August 2019

| Updated: 07:55, 04 August 2019

Fire crews from Newark and Collingham are still assisting with emergency flooding in Whaley Bridge.

They are among many firefighters from across the Midlands helping attend to the collapsing dam wall that began to flood on Wednesday.

As fire crews attempt to reduce the amount of water in the reservoir, surrounding areas have been evacuated in case the dam bursts.

Fire crews from Newark and Collingham are still helping with Whaley Bridge. Photo credit: @NottsfireOnCall.

"Newark's high volume pump unit is still at the scene and we have got our boat team on standby to attend should the need arise," said Neil Gaskin, Newark Fire Station's watch manager.

"We are going to have to see over the next few days what is going to happen, especially with the weather as well."

Collingham crews were among the first to arrive to help with their high volume pumps.

Watch manager Wayne Brooks said that the crew has been working around the clock since Thursday afternoon.

They are likely to be on the scene for the next three days.

He said: "The crew are working to reduce the volume of water in the reservoir to take the pressure off the wall so the engineers can get in and mend it.

"It is very tiring work for them and they're being given eight hours of stand down time, but they need to be on hand in case they're needed in a hurry."