Emergency Response supports with major fires across UK

Volunteers from The Salvation Army’s Emergency Response Vehicle supported firefighters after a number of major fires broke out across the UK this week. 

The church and charity’s ERV provides refreshments and pastoral support to 999 workers as they face tough conditions to keep people safe. 

In heatwave temperatures in London last weekend, three Salvation Army vehicles were deployed to support with a large warehouse fire in Enfield. 

A Salvation Army spokesperson said: “Three emergency vehicles from Leytonstone, Acton and Bexleyheath provided support at various points during this incident. Drinks, snacks and sandwiches were provided to fire crews battling the blaze from around 9pm on Saturday evening through to 6pm on Sunday. 

“It was a busy couple of days for the vehicles, which were staffed by church leaders and volunteers, with each van needing to be fully restocked with refreshments afterwards.” 

Meanwhile in the North West, volunteers scrambled to offer support during a blaze at a commercial storage unit in Middleton, Greater Manchester, and then at a huge fire at the former Hotspur Press mill in Manchester City Centre, which saw 100 nearby residents evacuated. 

In Blackpool, volunteers were on hand when a former working men’s club set alight, providing refreshments and a friendly ear, with the fire taking two days to be put out. 

As well as supporting firefighters in very harsh conditions, in the South East a van was deployed in Maidstone to attend a missing persons search. 

Ady Clee, Territorial Emergency Response Officer for The Salvation Army, said: “Our Emergency Response teams across the country have been extremely busy over the past week attending multi-day major fires in Enfield in London, Middleton in Greater Manchester, Blackpool and the huge fire at Matlock Mill (Hotspur building) in central Manchester.

“We have used multiple vehicles and a large number of staff and volunteers to respond to these incidents, providing welfare support to the Emergency Services who have been working tirelessly to protect people and property. Thank you to all of those dedicated volunteers who were on hand to help.” 

The Salvation Army has 27 Emergency Response Vehicles providing practical and spiritual support across the UK.