COUNTY Durham firefighters have a new high-tech training building.
The Hot Fire building has been built at the County Durham and Darlington brigade's headquarters in Framwellgate Moor, Durham City, and is one of only two in the country.
It will enable firefighters to practice search and rescue techniques, gaining access to a confined space, ladder pitching and using a wide range of specialist equipment.
It also features a number of safe viewing areas, which will allow members of the public to watch and understand how fire develops.
Fire authority chairman Len O'Donnell said: "This training facility will be only the second of this type in the country.
"It has been designed to provide the best possible operational training for our firefighters to acquire the vital skills needed to deal with dangerous compartment fires."
Councillor O'Donnell officially opened the facility yesterday when firefighters demonstrated its use to youngsters from St Godric's Primary School.
Earlier this year, the brigade took delivery of a display vehicle and chip pan fire demonstration unit.
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