Aldi fire shows we should give our fire service more cash says councillor

The fire at the former Aldi store is a shock to our community. We hope we can be updated regarding the cause as soon as possible.

Cllr Charmaine Morgan, former County Councillor for the area and former member of the LCC Community Safety committee said: “We are hugely grateful for the work of our own Fire & Rescue crew and those who came to provide support.

“We understand no one was injured on site for which we are hugely relieved but extend sympathy to neighbouring residents affected by the scale of the blaze and the smoke.

“This is not the first time we have had an extensive fire in the St Vincent’s area, which has industrial and warehouse facilities in close proximity to many homes.

“Each time our Fire & Rescue teams have managed to control the situation. The service has faced budget cuts in the past with crews downsized across the County and equipment threatened.

“This year the budget was not cut. It is vital we retain our crews and equipment at Grantham Fire Station especially given the size of Lincolnshire, proximity to the A1 and A52 and our growing population.

“The service also provides an important First Responder role in partnership with the NHS. EMAS is increasingly reliant on their support.”