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Firefighters remove concrete angel from roof of Beacon church in Dover

00:00, 30 December 2013

updated: 15:38, 30 December 2013

Firefighters have come to the rescue of a (slightly) fallen angel.

Residents Pete and Ann Margrino raised the alarm after spotting part of the angel on the floor near Beacon church in Dover, which then led to speculations about its overall safety.

The high winds which have been battering Dover are thought to have damaged the angel, as the ornament has been standing since the church was built in 1901.

Beacon's concrete angel was removed before it fell
Beacon's concrete angel was removed before it fell

Jan Goldsack, who helps look after the church, was thrilled when the fire brigade came at the first instance to remove the angel and a few unsteady roof tiles.

The crews cordoned off the area around the front end of the church to remove the ornament safely.

She said: “Indeed, it looked really dangerous, half of it had already fallen into the road.

“I rang the Fire Service who promptly turned up and assessed the situation and called for a crew with a cherry picker.

“The rest of the angel came away alarmingly easy.

“One of the firemen said that it’s horrible thinking about what could have happened.”

Firefighter Dan Upton, with remains of the concrete angel
Firefighter Dan Upton, with remains of the concrete angel

An Ashford fire crew attended the scene with a height appliance, which allowed those at the scene to reach the roof area.

She added: “The angel had been quite secure until today, as it started to crumble in this high wind.

“Thank goodness for Pete and Ann Mcgreeno for spotting it and if course our firemen.

“I’m still buzzing from the excitement.”

The angel was removed successfully, and the corner of Beaconsfield Road remains open as usual.

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