Lebanon gets new firefighting scooter

The narrow alleyways of ancient Lebanon in the Middle East have created a need for a new scooter-based firefighting vehicle.

The scooter will be used in Sidon and has hoses, ladders, stretchers and first aid kits to contain any fire that might erupt in Sidon’s narrow souks, where it would be difficult for a fire truck to enter.

The scooter was built as a response to fires last year that damaged a high number of buildings because the big fire trucks couldn’t get access through narrow alleyways.

Mayor Abdel-Rahman al-Bizri said: “We had to come up with a solution that would allow us to contain fires that might erupt in the old downtown so as to preserve the historical value of our city.”

Sidon fire department chief Zuheir Hankir said: “Firefighters have faced difficulties reaching fires located inside our city’s old downtown because trucks cannot enter the narrow and populated streets.”

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