Major fire simulation at Chichester Cathedral tonight
West Sussex firefighters will be seen scaling the building with smoke billowing out
Last updated 20th May 2024
West Sussex firefighters will carry out their biggest training exercise in years at Chichester Cathedral this evening (Monday 20th)
Smoke will be seen coming from the cathedral as fire crews simulate a major fire and rescue a person trapped inside.
Residents are invited to watch the exercise from the best viewing points: the city cross (East Street side, in front of HSBC bank) and in front of the old House of Fraser building.
Station Manager for Chichester Fire Station, Anton Mezzone, said: “Crews regularly train and prepare for incidents at fire stations, but being able to practice these skills with our partners in a realistic environment is the best way to test and improve our plans.
“Following on from the Notre-Dame fire in 2019, we looked at similar risks in the county. Since then, we have been learning about the challenges faced by our French colleagues and have adapted our operational plans; this exercise will reflect the changes that we have been making and allow us to put our new plans into action.
From 7pm until 11pm, there will be temporary road closures in place from the cathedral up to the canal basin. However, public transport will be running as normal.
The following road closures will be in place throughout the duration of the exercise:
Permanent road closures from 7pm until 11.30pm:
Junction of Canal Place and Canal Wharf, round to Basin Road (access to Kingsham Road)
Avenue De Chartres (westbound)
Basin road junction towards Kingsham Road
Bus station to Southgate (access only to Brampton Court Care Home, the rail station car park and Smith and Weston).
Temporary closures (expected until no later than 8pm):
Junction of Terminus Road (leading to railway)
Avenue De Chartres (eastbound)
South Street (access to the cross)