Firefighters say driving to a fire call in Durham is becoming almost as difficult as actually battling the flames, and they are appealing to the public for help to clear the streets.

Drivers routinely ignore "No Parking" signs and clog narrow streets downtown and in older neighborhoods across Durham, Durham Fire Department Capt. Craig Hoxin said.

"Our stress goes way up. What should be a single turn turns out to be a two- or three-point turn," Hoxin said. "Sometimes, you just have to back up and call the chief and tell him you're blocked from this direction."

Ladder trucks especially need extra room, authorities said, because they have to use extensions on each side to brace the truck before raising their buckets to fight fires from overhead.

"We're committed to getting to the scene as quickly and as safely as possible. If there are obstructions, that counts against us," said Capt. Bruce Pagan, who is serving as interim chief of the fire department.

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