Firefighters responding to a callout were unable to get past a school due to inconsiderate parking.
It's prompted a plea from the fire service for drivers to think before they park.
Crews from Sherborne were responding to a call earlier today when they found themselves unable to get a fire engine down Lenthay Road.
Cars were parked on either side of the road outside Sherborne Abbey Primary School.
A spokesman for Sherborne Fire Station said: "Luckily, this was not an emergency call, but does highlight the need to think about parking - especially at school pick up time.
"Every second counts when attending an emergency."
Advice from the fire service is to:
- Pull in your wing mirrors (don’t forget to flip them out before driving off)
- Don’t park too close to corners, fire engines are larger than cars and need more room to turn
- If you’re parking opposite someone, remember that a fire engine needs three metres, or two car widths, to pass safely
- Make sure your wheels are straight and not sticking out
- Park as close to the kerb as you can
- Always follow the Highway Code and obey the road markings such as yellow lines and box junctions
- In narrow streets, only park on one side of the road where possible
- Make sure you leave enough space for pedestrians on the pavement
- Don’t block driveways
The fire service has the power to do anything it reasonably believes necessary to prevent or extinguish a fire.
Firefighters can, when necessary, enter a premises by force, without the consent of the owner or occupier, or move or break into a vehicle without the consent of its owner.
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