Two fire engines ordered to replace appliances lost in Castletown station blaze

Two replacement fire engines have been ordered for the appliances written off in the August fire at Castletown and Malew fire station, but they are not due until late 2027, the Department of Home Affairs has said.

Both engines were badly damaged when fire broke out at the station on the Ronaldsway industrial estate on 13 August. Isle of Man Today reported that an investigation into the blaze is continuing.

A department spokesperson told the newspaper that its insurer had assessed both vehicles as uneconomical to repair.

“Both appliances have been written off - our insurer has determined them to be total losses due to being damaged beyond economical repair,” she said.

According to Isle of Man Today, what is left of one engine remains in the station, which has been boarded up, and is likely to be scrapped.

The other was filmed by Media IoM last week as Mann Recovery Services towed it to Foxdale, where it was put on a trailer to be shipped to the UK. The newspaper reported that the engine could still be driven despite the damage.

The spokesperson said two temporary appliances had been sourced from the UK so that the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service could keep up its emergency response until the new engines arrive.

“Residents in the south will see no change in the response times or capability of our Fire Service,” she said.

The August fire sent smoke across a wide area. Isle of Man Today reported that nine appliances were sent to the station. They included a turntable ladder and a specialist vehicle from the fire and rescue service at Isle of Man Airport, along with support vehicles and officers.

Two firefighters were hurt.

Chief Fire Officer Mark Christian commended an on-call firefighter who moved quickly to rescue protective equipment and vital lifesaving gear as the flames spread.