THE boss of Barrow fire station has said sheer luck prevented anyone being killed when a fire took hold of four parked cars.

Shocked bystanders looked on as a plume of black smoke billowed from the burning vehicles in Asda car park in Barrow on Tuesday.

Firefighters were quick to respond to emergency calls made when a single car fire rapidly spread to three others.

Roger Exley, station manager for Barrow, said: "Adults may just nip in to the shop leaving the kids in the car, at this time of year people have animals in the car - luckily there weren't any in these vehicles."

Incredibly there were no casualties caused by this quick-spreading fire. Mr Exley said it was an irony that, as cars have become safer on the roads, vehicle fires are now more dangerous to tackle when they do break out.


He said: "There is a greater danger - the nature of the stuff that is in the cars such as fuel - there was a lot of black smoke which has quite a lot of toxic gases which could cause harm if inhaled."

As well as the toxic components of the car, devices which are meant to save lives can be a real danger to crews putting out car fires.

Mr Exley said: "Airbags could potentially activate without warning."

Other hazards include hot tyres exploding, propelling hot pieces of potentially lethal metal and rubber in the direction of nearby firefighter.

"With the helmet there is a greater protection, but whether it will stop anything? You can't determine," Mr Exley continued.

The bravery and professionalism of his fire crews was lauded by Mr Exley, but he said, in times of increased public sector scrutiny, he needed the public to get behind his men.

He said: "The expectation of firefighters in this day and age is high. People can be on the scene quickly - they are making judgements, videoing things, there is an additional pressure on them.

"It is dangerous job to do, but they are well trained and have the equipment they need."