Huntingdon firefighters have officially moved into their new state-of-the-art fire station, with the old station on Hartford Road now closed after 57 years of operations.

As of today (Thursday, February 2), the old site on Hartford Road officially closed its doors for the final time. 

Firefighters on the night shift took the final drive from the old station at 7.30am on February 1 before handing over to the day crew at the new station, who started the first-ever shift.

Firefighters are now only responding from the new fire station located on 7 Percy Road in Huntingdon, just off the A141, with it staffed 24/7 by wholetime firefighters and an on-call crew.

The Hunts Post: Huntingdon firefighters leave the old Hartford Road station for the last time.Huntingdon firefighters leave the old Hartford Road station for the last time. (Image: Newsquest)

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service deputy chief executive Matthew Warren said: "It's a momentous day for the project as firefighters move into and respond to 999 calls from the new fire station.

"A huge thanks must go to all those involved in getting the development to where it is today - we now have a first-class fire station and training centre that will provide an excellent facility for our colleagues."

READ MORE: Closing ceremony marks 57 years of Huntingdon Fire Station

The Hunts Post: The firefighters had a group photo to mark the first day of operations at the new fire station and training facility.The firefighters had a group photo to mark the first day of operations at the new fire station and training facility. (Image: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service)

Adjoining the Percy Road station is the service's new training centre, which the fire service says can provide "effective, reliable and realistic training for all operational staff".

READ MORE: New fire station and training centre to open soon in Huntingdon

The Operational Support Group, Health and Safety team and the Occupational Health team will also be based at the station.

The Hunts Post: The new training centre which is also located at the new Percy Road fire station.The new training centre which is also located at the new Percy Road fire station. (Image: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service)

Following the completion of construction in January 2022, Chair of the fire authority, Councillor Edna Murphy, said: "We are delighted that after years of perseverance, we now have the best possible facilities to develop firefighters in Cambridgeshire and have a new fit for purpose fire station."

The Hunts Post: The new training centre will increase the capacity to enable the service to train more firefighters more often.The new training centre will increase the capacity to enable the service to train more firefighters more often. (Image: Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service)

Planning for the new fire station began in 2013, with construction starting in 2021 and completed in 2023.

For more information about the fire service and the new fire station, visit the fire service's website.