A fire engine was forced out of operation for nearly an hour by adriver who parked illegally and blocked its path.

The turntable fire engine, which carries the main ladders for the Brighton area, was forced to a halt when returning from a call to a fire alarm in Ship Street.

The engine was returning to its base at Preston Circus Fire Station about 1.30pm yesterday afternoon when it attempted to turn right into East Street from Bartholomews.

But it was stopped in its tracks by a white BMW parked illegally on double yellow lines, which left even small cars struggling to get through the narrow passage.The firecrew called the police who then brought in a recovery truck to tow the BMW away.

But the length and breadth of the fire engine meant it was trapped until the car had been removed and could not have responded to an emergency call.

Sub Officer Steve Tomlin, of Preston Circus Station, said: "It's just totally irresponsible of drivers to park like this and it's just the laziness of them not being able to walk a bit further.It puts the lives of others in danger, albeit not on this occasion, but there has been a history of this in Brighton and Hove."

The car was displaying an orange disabled badge but a police spokeswoman said although the badge holders are allowed to park on double yellow lines they are

not allowed to cause an obstruction.

The spokeswoman said: "People need to be aware that there needs to be access for fire engines. You may have well been able to get a car past but clearly that isn't enough to allow a fire engine through."

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