Work is under way to establish a live fire training facility in the Isle of Man.

Diggers moved onto the site at the rear of the Energy from Waste Plant on Monday to begin clearing gorse and vegetation and levelling the ground.

Once the initial groundwork is complete a concrete base will be installed to support a series of interconnected compartments, which are currently being constructed by a specialist contractor in the UK.

It is intended that the new facility, which will enhance life-saving skills and resilience within the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service, will be commissioned and fully operational by the summer.

The units will be used to simulate real-life emergencies in different types of buildings and vessels, with controlled fires being set to create a realistic working environment of extreme heat, humidity, smoke and restricted visibility. The facility will also help firefighters to recognise the signs of potentially deadly backdraft and flashover conditions.

The scheme continues the drive by the Department of Home Affairs to achieve additional revenue savings through capital investment in its infrastructure.

The new live fire facility will ensure that firefighters can undertake essential training on-Island in future, reducing the need to attend courses at the UK Fire Service College in Gloucestershire.

As well as costing approximately ?50,000 a year, off-Island training depletes the Fire and Rescue Service by the equivalent of two crewed appliances and takes retained officers away from their primary employment.

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘This is something we have been looking to develop for some time, so I am delighted to see work get under way just a few weeks after planning approval was granted. The contractors are making good early progress on the site despite the difficult conditions caused by recent poor weather.’

He added: ‘The facility supports the Department’s priority of keeping people safe and will ensure that our firefighter training is in line with UK best practice.’