Support for 999 crews tackling tragic Newcastle explosion

The Salvation Army’s Emergency Response Vehicle provided on-going support to 999 crews as they tackled a house explosion which killed two people, including a seven-year-old boy, and injured six others in Newcastle last week. 

Three houses were also destroyed during the explosion in Violet Close, Newcastle on Wednesday (16 Oct). 

The team were called out just before 2am on Wednesday morning with volunteers from Salvation Army churches and residents and staff from Swan Lodge Lifehouse, which provides supported accommodation to up to 65 people who are homeless, on site until 10pm that evening. They were then redeployed on Friday morning until Sunday evening to support police as they carried out their investigation into what happened. 

The church and charity’s Emergency Vehicle provides refreshments and emotional support to emergency workers during incidents. 

Julie Judson, Salvation Army Chaplain and Deputy Emergency Response Co-ordinator for The Salvation Army in the North East, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this tragic incident. To know that two people, including a seven-year-old boy lost his life, it’s absolutely heartbreaking. 

“This was an extremely tough one for the fire services who worked throughout Wednesday in very hard conditions. They were exhausted. 

“We were on hand throughout to offer not only hot food and drink, but pastoral support which was much needed in what was a really difficult call out. 

“We were then called back on Friday morning with a team of volunteers offering support to police as they carried out investigations into what happened. 

“Thank you to volunteers from Salvation Army churches across the North East, who alongside staff and residents from Swan Lodge Lifehouse, helped out and kept supplies replenished over those few days.” 

As a volunteer Chaplain with Tyne and Wear Fire Service, Julie will continue to be available to firefighters for pastoral support in the coming days. 

The Emergency Vehicle is one of twenty-seven similar vehicles that the church and charity has up and down the country to support several other blue light organisations. It recently renewed its welfare partnership with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service via a Memorandum of Understanding which ensures the welfare of firefighters and crews working on the ground at such incidents are in safe hands with The Salvation Army providing onsite food and drinks and emotional support.