'Desperately needed' upgrade for 70-year-old Luton fire station on the way with rebuild
Luton fire station is in ‘desperate need’ of an upgrade – and is set to be rebuilt.
Labour Poets councillor Jacqui Burnett, who chairs Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority, also told the meeting about the loss of almost £40,000 of vital life-saving equipment during two break-ins in Harrold and Bedford, revealing that these same two fire stations were also broken into last year.
The thieves emptied two fire engines of their hydraulic cutting and spreading tools, which help save lives at the scene of serious road traffic collisions and other incidents.
“You can appreciate that fire service equipment isn’t cheap,” she explained. “Any support we can get from the public if anyone has information to report, that’s really important. As we know, our finances are squeezed.
“Given what’s happening elsewhere in the world, those resources are likely to be pressured further. The (fire service) revenue budget of £44m was unanimously passed.
“Within the capital budget, the county fire service is going to rebuild Luton Fire Station in Studley Road, which is 70 years old this year. I did a walk around it and this is desperately needed.
“There are female firefighters now, whereas they weren’t considered able to do that role 70 years ago. Our physique hasn’t changed, but all these years later we can be firefighters. So we need to make sure we rebuild appropriately.”
On a recent inspection of the local fire service by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, councillor Burnett added: “Hopefully the report will confirm that despite having to save £1.6m in efficiencies, the service has delivered for residents on prevention, protection and response to keep the public safe.”
> A previous version of this story stated that more than one deliberate house fire day happened in Bedfordshire. However, Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue has since confirmed that the data given to Luton councillors was incorrect.
In a statement they said: "Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to clarify that the number of primary deliberate dwelling fires attended during Q1 of 2025/26 is 6.
“An edition of Shout that was published as part of the papers for Luton Borough Council’s full council meeting on Tuesday (March 18) featured the incorrect statistic, which promoted debated by councillors. This was a printing error in Shout, and the full papers that were scrutinised by the Fire and Rescue Authority at its meeting featured all correct information.
“Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to reassure councillors and the communities of Luton and wider Bedfordshire that this number of primary dwelling fires is within normal range. For completeness, we attended 9 in Q2, and 7 in Q3.
“The Service apologises for any confusion and concern caused, and we appreciate councillors interrogating our data in this way.”