Balfour Beatty has completed £3.7 million of construction works at Burnley Fire Station, handing the facility over to Lancashire Combined Fire Authority for an official opening by The Duke of Kent this month.

The project included the demolition of the existing fire station and construction of a new modern steel-framed facility, a purpose-built training tower including a smoke machine to create a live fire atmosphere, a lift shaft for lift rescue simulation and an external abseiling course.

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The new building incorporates many sustainable features including a rainwater harvesting tank, bat and bird boxes and recycled materials from the old fire building. Some of the recycled materials were used to create a community mosaic in the new facility, which was designed in partnership with local schools.

This project forms part of the North West Fire and Rescue Services PPP scheme to provide the design, construction and funding for 16 community fire stations, seven of which are in Merseyside, five in Cumbria and four in Lancashire.

Chris Kenny, Chief Fire Officer for Lancashire said: "It is very satisfying to reflect on what will be accomplished here at Burnley's new Community Fire Station. It is a resource that will enhance the work of the people here to continue to reduce fire deaths and injuries and provide an outstanding emergency response."

(CD/IT)