Smoke and mirrors draws in the visitors

Despite heavy showers, some 300 people visited the family-fun filled open day, at the Hawthorn Road station, with the chance to chat to firefighters and take a look at the new and vintage fire engines.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Services’ Chief Fire Officer Andy Fry, opened the event, which took place from 10.30am to 4pm, and thanked the community for its attendance.
Mocked-up displays included a ‘woman’ being rescued from a burning tower block, dealing with a road traffic ‘collision’, which involved cutting up a car with a ‘person’ trapped inside, and a ‘horse’ being lifted by a crane.
The firefighters also gave people the chance to throw wet sponges at them, and browse stalls with details of other emergency services, including the police, air ambulance and the Salvation Army,as well as relevant charities.
There were also refreshments, including burgers and drinks.
White Watch manager Phil Knight said: “ The kids could have a go at being a firefighter by going into a smoke-filled tent and rescuing a teddy bear using breathing apparatus. It was all simulated stuff used, but the kids loved it and got a certificate.”
The community day also raised just over £273 for charity, to be split between the Fire Fighters Charity and a local charity, Brain Injury is Big.
A stall run in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity raised an additional £276.