A NEW temporary fire station has opened its doors at a Basingstoke community centre, where an engine and crew will be stationed during peak call-out times.

The project, at the Popley Fields Community Centre, in Carpenter's Down, Popley, aims to reduce the time it takes crews to reach incidents on the eastern side of the town and forge closer links between firefighters and the community.

The year-long trial - launched on Monday - is the first time in the UK that a fire station has been based in a community centre. The crew and engine will be at the centre between 3pm and 11pm each day.

Senior Divisional Officer Kevin Butcher, from the fire service, said: "This is very much a partnership between Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and the community centre. We hope to engage with people by coming together with them there.

"We will focus on at-risk groups, such as older people and single-parent families, informing them of the dangers of fire. This is an ideal opportunity to do that."

Mr Butcher rejected fears that security at the centre is not tight enough to protect their valuable equipment. CCTV has been installed so the crew can keep an eye on their engine parked outside.

Mr Butcher revealed that, if the community centre trial proves a success, it could become permanent.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service has owned land near the centre, at the junction of Carpenter's Down and Shetland Road, since 1976, which was earmarked for this purpose.

First published: Wednesday, April 6, 2005