Police praise community effort after tanker fire

Police officers who attended the scene of a huge fuel tanker fire in Shropshire have praised the community for coming together in the aftermath.

PC Savannah Green and PCSO George Mulhall had been on patrol in Overdale and were heading back to Telford police station on 14 April when they came across the exploding blaze involving 15,000 litres of fuel on Marlborough Way, in the Newdale area of the town.

Green immediately closed the road and called the fire service, while Mulhall ran to nearby Newdale Primary School, evacuating 500 pupils with the help of three members of the public.

"Kids were crying and everything because they didn't know what was going on," Mulhall said.

"Drivers were calm as they turned around," said Green. "No one was getting cross with one another."

Mulhall said that dozens of people helped during the process.

"It wasn't just police and fire, we had the Grazing Cow pub, the gym, Lawley Academy, and Morrisons provided food," he said.

"It just shows how Lawley came together - Lawley did itself proud to be honest."

The officers recounted the day to Lawley & Overdale Parish Council's annual meeting on Tuesday.

They have been nominated for a commendation.

"It demonstrates the importance of local policing teams," said Jill Holland, the parish council's clerk.

"It is reasonable to assume that any officer would do their job, but because you are local police and you spent so much time in that area, your first instinct was the school.

"We are fortunate to have that level of knowledge and it shows that local policing in the local area is valuable."

In a statement after the incident, Supt Edward Hancox praised the pair for their courage and professionalism.

"Their quick thinking, calm decision making and willingness to put themselves at risk ensured the area was quickly secured, the fire service could get to work, and school children were evacuated safely," he said.

"We are also incredibly grateful to the school staff and the members of the community who stepped forward to help.

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