Aspiring firefighter lends fire service a hand

Crews from the East Grinstead Fire and Rescue Service were joined by three-year-old Finlay Bennett whilst tackling a fire in De La Warr Road, East Grinstead, on Saturday (March 25).

Two people were reported to be trapped in the building before a spokesman confirmed all missing people were found elsewhere.

Finlay was with his mother Maria as they left their house in De La Warr Road and noticed four fire engines parked outside.

Maria said: “We went back into the house and Finlay got changed into his fireman outfit and went back outside.

“By that time, the firemen were starting to finish up with a few of them still in the property.

“About three or four firefighters spotted Finlay and came over to speak to him. They offered to show him the inside of the truck but Finlay said he has seen it all before.

“He is pretty much noting down what firefighters do as a job.”

Finlay has attended a number of fire station open days across Sussex, including East Grinstead.

Maria added: “There was actually one firefighter who we recognised from the open day in East Grinstead. Hopefully he doesn’t think we are stalking him.

“They were all so lovely and great with Finlay.

“Finlay has a small fire hose backpack that fires water a bit like a fire hose. One of the firefighters was pretending to shoot water at Finlay and he was firing his back.

“These fireman have a very serious job to do but they are extremely sociable too. They were very nice to Finlay.”

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