PART-TIME firefighters who saved a vital community building from ruin - then helped raise money to rebuild it - have had their efforts commended.

The ten-man crew at Helmsley fire station - all made up of retained, or part-time firefighters - were awarded a letter of appreciation by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Eric Clark.

In August last year, the Old Meeting House arts centre in Helmsley went up in flames.

The firefighters managed to contain the blaze, and were also able to salvage a valuable Steinway piano and an artist's entire collection of paintings, which were being displayed at that time.

After the fire had been put out, the firefighters decided to donate a share of their annual charity jumble sale to the fund set up to rebuild the meeting house.

"The way they saved this building from total devastation and then afterwards had the community spirit to help put it back together was tremendous," said Mr Clark.

"By going out into the community and raising funds in the way they did really was exemplary. I am very proud to be able to recognise the efforts they made," he added.

Leading Firefighter Tony O'Neil said: "We are all a bit humbled by this, as we all feel we just did our jobs.

"Having said that, though, it is nice to have those efforts recognised.

"The decision to donate a share of the money from the jumble sale was made by our Sub Officer, Ian Pattison, who is away on holiday at the moment.

"Pretty much as soon as the fire was out, he decided we should help out in some way as the meeting house is so important to Helmsley.

"We were glad to do it. The meeting house is a focal point for a large section of this community and we wanted to do what we could to help restore it."

Updated: 12:13 Thursday, August 23, 2001