Fire Investigation Officers are now investigating the cause of the fire, after firefighters worked incredibly hard to limit damage to the historic chapel at Haltemprice Crematorium in Willerby.
Shortly before 9:30 on Thursday morning (1 October) crews from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire at Haltemprice Crematorium, Willerby. Crews arrived on scene quickly and additional crews were called due to the complexity of the fire.
Group Manager Matthew Sutcliffe was at the scene of the incident and he stated, “We received a call to a fire in the roof at Haltemprice Crematorium and as such our crews, on arrival quickly realised that it was a well developed fire, so we escalated it with a number of fire engines. We worked really hard and quite aggressively with the firefighting techniques to bring this fire under control.”
Fire crews from across Humberside were on scene for over 8 hours, limiting fire damage and spread to the chapel, a Grade II listed building. This was a complex job, with a number of firefighting techniques in use and thanks to the early intervention, the building and memorial wall were saved.
Chief Fire Officer Chris Blacksell said, “Thanks to all our crews and of course Fire Control who took the calls and managed this and many other significant incidents today. Our thoughts are with the families whose funerals have been affected.”
Operators at the Haltemprice Crematorium have made all families aware of the current situation and that they are able to provide their service at a nearby church and crematorium.