Excited primary school pupils were treated to a special tour of Hamilton Fire Station this morning — and got to try their hand with a hose.

The children queued up to learn how to put out a fire and meet Sparky, Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service’s cuddly mascot.

The youngsters, from St David’s Primary and Port Royal Primary, visited to help to launch the service’s annual Fire Safety Awareness Week, which runs until Friday.

Also present was Premier Michael Dunkley, who officially opened the event, and Senator Jeff Baron.

Chief Fire Officer Lloyd Burchall told the crowd that the service joined with fire departments in North America to mark Fire Safety Week, aimed at raising public awareness about preventing blazes. The Bermuda event was delayed by two weeks because of the death of fireman Alvin Baker.

“Each year the President of the United States signs a proclamation proclaiming a national observance of Fire Prevention Week, and here in Bermuda we have our very own Premier do the same,” he said.

“There have been numerous themes throughout the years, ranging from ‘Your Life, Your Property’ and ‘Keep Fire In Its Place’, to ‘Fire Drills: The Great Escape’.

“This year’s theme is ‘Smoke Alarms Save Lives, Test Yours Every Month.’

“Fire Safety and Awareness Week in Bermuda is also a time when everyone can share their appreciation for all of the brave men and women in the fire service who risk their life and limb to protect the life and property of those experiencing emergencies within our community.”

Mr Burchall said an aim of the awareness week was to educate the community about the importance of having a smoke alarm.

“One of our future goals is to get out in the community, to share fire safety tips as it applies to them within their household,” he said. “This year would be a great time to start, as the theme embraces one of the basic methods of fire protection: smoke detectors.

“When fire strikes, your home could be engulfed in flames in just a few minutes. Having smoke detectors strategically placed within the home serves as one of the first lines of making the occupants aware of the presence of smoke, which then allows them to think fast and get out quickly when the smoke alarm sounds.”

Mr Dunkley then read a fire safety proclamation to officially open the week of activities and took part in safety demonstrations.

Visitors were urged to explore the station and chat to firefighters, who answered questions about their work.

A series of events for the public and schools will be held throughout the week, including guided tours of the Island’s three fire stations and demonstrations of the use of a fire extinguisher.