Support for emergency services tackling huge warehouse fire
published on 1 Mar 2021
The Salvation Army provided support to more than 160 emergency service workers as they tackled a huge blaze at a warehouse in Denton, Tameside, on Sunday 21 February.
Major Nigel Tansley, who runs the church and charity’s emergency response vehicles across the north west, and his team of volunteers staffed the mobile canteen from 1.45pm on Sunday afternoon until 10.30pm that evening.
They served much needed hot drinks, food and offered a listening ear and a prayer to firefighters, police and ambulance staff.
Major Nigel said: “We had two groups of volunteers there for around seven and half hours, and we gave out around 500 hot drinks and 180 sandwiches.
“The 999 workers are under extreme pressure, so we are there to offer them a cup of tea, a smile, and a breather. It’s 15 minutes of normality which helps them to process what they are dealing with.
“If they want to have a one-to-one chat or ask us to pray with them, we will do that.
“We’re grateful to our volunteers and church members who help us provide this essential service. It’s a privilege to be able to do be able this in the name of The Salvation Army and the name of the Lord.”
The fire at the three-storey building on Holland Street led to residents being evacuated and the closure of M67 motorway.
The response vehicle, of which there are three covering Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire, is then swiftly restocked ready to respond to further emergencies.
For more information on The Salvation Army's emergency response vehicle click here
