Uk – “Didcot RRT mobilised to assist at Burst water main in Oxford”
A water main burst in an Oxford street causing significant flooding in the early hours of Tuesday 23rd September 2014.Thames Water said a 24in (60cm) water pipe burst just after 05:00 BST in Normandy Crescent near Cowley affecting 50 properties.
Fire and rescue crews helped 25 people leave their homes and rescue belongings. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue confirmed it had a special pumping unit from Banbury on scene to try to remove the water, along with four engines, an incident support unit and an incident command team.
Oxfordshire County Council’s emergency planning team was also on the scene along with Oxford City Council. A rest centre for residents affected by the flooding was opened at the nearby Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre, with twenty-eight residents being transported to the centre. Clothing and food has been provided to those residents.
The Oxford emergency planning committee contacted Didcot RRT at around 09:00 to request assistance with feeding both the evacuated residents and the emergency crews. By 11:00 refreshment stations were established at both the Leisure Centre and nearby the scene of the emergency. Local shops were very generous in their offers of food and drink and the RRT members were able to provide continuous support until the incident was scaled down at around 17:00
The various agencies and workers were full of their appreciation for the help given by the RRT, and the Oxford emergency planning committee have confirmed they will be writing to the Rapid Relief Team to thank them for their assistance.
