Officers help evacuate 50 animals after fire

Officers assisting at the scene of a fire near a vet in Basildon helped to rescue dozens of animals and ensured their treatment could continue.

Alongside colleagues with Essex Fire and Rescue Service, UK Power Networks and East of England Ambulance Service, we were called to Gardiners Lane South, shortly after 1.45pm on Thursday 18 April.

It was established a fire had taken hold inside a building adjacent to Southfields Veterinary Specialists.

Around 50 animals were on site receiving treatment.

Thankfully, staff at the vet managed to safely evacuate every animal.

We attended and liaised with colleagues to ensure the safety of all persons and animals involved.

Officers on the scene then assisted with completing multiple journeys with a carrier full of poorly animals – ensuring they were taken on to nearby vets so their treatment could be resumed.

The cause of the fire has since been deemed to be non-suspicious.

'Our first priority is protecting life'

Acting Inspector Kirsty Flynn, of Basildon Local Policing Team, said:

“It doesn’t matter whether we receive a report of a crime in progress or a concern for welfare, priority one for us is protecting life and keeping the public safe.
“That isn’t just a promise to keep people safe, but animals too. We know all too well a pet is a family member and we recognised just how important it was to get these animals to another site so they could continue to receive care.
“This was a prime example of emergency services working as a team to ensure an effective response to a serious incident.”

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