A FIRE engine on a blue light was delayed for five minutes this morning and forced to reverse after it couldn’t get past parked cars.

Heaton resident Kate Whittle said she saw the engine struggling to get past a number of vehicles which had parked on the corner of Ashwell Road, Heaton.

She said: “It’s important people are reminded again of the dangers of parking irresponsibly. This morning at just after 4am a fire vehicle on a blue light call was restricted again in its duty due to vehicles actually parking on corners because (the drivers) are too lazy to walk a few seconds.

“This could have resulted in the death of somebody because where fires are concerned every second counts and instead the crew had to get out of the vehicle to guide it back and around the vehicles causing the obstruction before it could get to its job.

“This took around five minutes. Five minutes is enough for someone to die from smoke inhalation.”

Mrs Whittle said she told the council and said it is not the first time emergency vehicles have struggled.