“Several times over the scanner I’ve heard firefighters say, ‘We need more resources,’ and the incident commander says, ‘We don’t have any.’

Earlier this week the BBC was observing doctors on a ward at Warwick Hospital when one of those critical incidents was declared.

Colchester Zoo said the incident took place at about 14:00 GMT at the mixed species African habitat between the rhino and a male zebra.

Thomas Taylor died in hospital after the incident at 17:50 GMT on Wednesday near the bus station in Bedford.

"There are very localised incidents of this unfolding where the fire hydrants have had insufficient water pressure for firefighters to use them, but that's not because LA is running out of water," says Mr Swain.