Fire service prepared after tunnel smoke test

Jersey Fire & Rescue Service Smoke gathered at the top of a tunnel in Jersey with three people wearing hard hats and orange high vis jackets looking up at it.Jersey Fire & Rescue Service
The fire service said the test allowed it to see "in person what a fire in the tunnel would look like"

Jersey fire service says it is "well prepared" if a fire occurs in the Fort Regent Tunnel in St Helier.

The government closed the tunnel on Tuesday evening for a smoke test so emergency services could find out how long it took for the tunnel to fill with smoke and how long it took to evacuate islanders.

Jersey Fire & Rescue Service said the test allowed it to see "in person what a fire in the tunnel would look like".

Islanders were warned not to worry if they saw smoke rising from the tunnel overnight.

Jersey Fire & Rescue Service Smoke coming out of the tunnel seen from the outside with orange fencing stopping vehicles from entering and a van parked inside the tunnel.Jersey Fire & Rescue Service
Islanders were warned not to worry if they saw smoke rising from the tunnel overnight

The fire service said: "The exercise reinforced our risk information and helps ensure that we are well prepared, should an incident occur."

It advised motorists to do the following if a fire occurred:

  • Leave your keys and belongings in the vehicle
  • Exit the tunnel without passing the incident
  • Wait at the muster point for further instruction

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