This is exact moment a police officer officer and PCSO from Lawley and Overdale’s Safer Neighbourhood Team came across a fuel tanker on fire in Telford on Tuesday (14 April).
Within seconds of arriving at the scene on Malborough Way, PC Savannah Green closed the road and called the fire in over the radio, while PCSO George Mulhall approached the vehicle to see if anyone was trapped or injured.
As PC Green told members of the public not to get any closer, PCSO Mulhall was asked to evacuate the nearby primary school as it wasn’t known if the tanker that contained 15,000 litres of fuel may explode.
PCSO Mulhall ran towards the school, and with the help of three members of the public, was able to alert teachers and staff who quickly, and safely, evacuated around 500 pupils.
Meanwhile PC Green was calling for back up and managing the incident while Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service made their way to the scene.
Thankfully, no one was injured during the fire, and within 10 minutes of PC Green and PCSO Mulhall arriving, the fire service were at the scene and bringing the blaze under control.
Superintendent Edward Hancox told us: “Savannah and George showed courage and professionalism in an unpredictable and potentially life-threatening situation. While most people quite rightly move away from danger, our officers run towards it to keep our communities safe, and their actions on Tuesday are a clear example of that commitment.
“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.
“We are also incredibly grateful to the school staff and the members of the community who stepped forward to help. Their cooperation and swift response played a crucial role in keeping everyone safe in the initial stages of the incident."
