FIRE union officials say a serious fire this week proves the proposed closure of a station could put lives at risk.

Simon Morgan, chairman of the Fire Brigade Union at Walney station, made the claims after a fire in Ulverston on Tuesday which demanded help from four fire crews and five engines.

Walney, which is being proposed for closure, could not attend as it was change-over time and there wouldn’t have been enough crew.

Firefighters from Ulverston, Barrow, Grange and Kendal were called out to the house fire in Soutergate at 3.30am and were still at the scene nine hours later.

No one was injured as firefighters managed to contain the fire. Mr Morgan said: “Unfortunately, Walney station wasn’t able to cover the Furness area. This led to Millom fire crew being called in to cover.

“This is what it would be like every time there’s a serious incident if Walney station is closed.

“The closure of this station would have an impact on the surrounding areas – resources would be more stretched and it would have a snowball, knock-on effect.

“At the fire in Ulverston we managed to contain it and stopped it from spreading but, if it had spread, we would have required more appliances and more firefighters, which could have led to other areas possibly being left exposed.

“This could put the lives of firefighters and members of the public at risk.”

Cumbria County Council refuted the claims and has said that if Walney is closed there will always be enough cover.

Councillor Barry Doughty, cabinet member for fire and rescue, said: “We are only in consultation stage at the moment so it’s at a very early stage.

“There’s a robust and resilient system in place and we will not be making any decisions lightly.

“I’m confident that if Walney fire station closes, we could cope.

“I would not make a decision as a councillor without professional advice.”

Closing the station would save £60,000 from the county council’s budget.

The proposal is part of the council’s 2016/17 proposed budget, which must cut a further £17.5m as a result of government austerity measures.

Under the plan the engine based at Mill Lane, Walney, would be transferred to Barrow.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “During the incident in question, there was sufficient fire cover in place to cover the wider area, with fire engines available in Broughton, Coniston, Bootle and Millom.”