Salvation Army supports fire crews tackling flat blaze in Ipswich

The Salvation Army supported firefighters battling a blaze at a high-rise block of flats in Ipswich on Monday.

More than 120 firefighters and 20 fire engines were called to Yeoman Close at around 2pm after smoke was seen billowing from the roof of the building just off Yarmouth Road. Residents were evacuated and moved away from the scene. All residents were accounted for.

The Salvation Army Emergency Response Vehicle attended and spent more than three hours on the site serving hot dogs and bacon rolls to firefighters.

Mike Baker, Suffolk Emergency Response Coordinator, said his team were called at around 4.30pm.

He said: “We gave them hot and cold drinks, hot food and sandwiches. We also gave them a bit of banter and they came to relax with us before they went back to tackling the fire.”

The Salvation Army has now supported fire crews in Suffolk at nearly 450 incidents and Mike said the relationship between the church and charity and the emergency services is as strong as ever.

He added: “A combined police and fire station is being built at Stowmarket and they are putting in a bay for us while they also cover the costs of the vehicle. We’re proud of the way we support the emergency service and the community and they really appreciate it. When we arrived, they all cheered.”