I WRITE in response to an article in last week s Standard headed Two shops ravaged by fire in Norfolk Street . The article gives the reader the impression that we attended the fire at the rear of Discount Cycles and then returned to the fire station desp

I WRITE in response to an article in last week's Standard headed 'Two shops ravaged by fire in Norfolk Street'.

The article gives the reader the impression that we attended the fire at the rear of Discount Cycles and then returned to the fire station despite being alerted to the second fire by members of the public. It specifically says we had to return to Norfolk Street to put out the second fire.

I would like to reassure your readers that fire crews at the first fire, when informed of the second incident, responded immediately on foot. At the same time calls were being received by fire control who immediately redirected the crews to the second fire.

We would never ignore a report of a fire whether it is by telephone or reported directly to firefighters in person. The second fire was severe and spread rapidly. Although damage was caused to two shops, firefighters worked extremely hard to prevent it spreading to other neighbouring buildings.

I expect your reporter did not intend to create this impression but would like to correct what I believe to be an inaccurate account of what happened last Wednesday evening.

LAWRIE BOOTH, Deputy chief fire officer, Cambridgeshire