Police officers from the Lawley and Overdale Safer Neighbourhood Team, including PCSO Mark Bailey and PCSO George Mulhall, responded to a fuel tanker on fire on Marlborough Way in Telford on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. The incident, which involved a tanker carrying 15,000 litres of kerosene, triggered a major emergency response that saw Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service deploy nine appliances from six different stations to the scene.
Following the report of the fire at 12:05pm, authorities evacuated the nearby Newdale Primary School and Nursery. Between 450 and 500 children were safely moved to local businesses to wait for their parents. While one person was taken to hospital for treatment, there were no reports of serious injuries.
The Environment Agency has since deployed containment booms after concerns were raised that firefighting foam and fuel had entered local watercourses. The Lawley and Overdale Parish Council has advised residents to keep themselves and their pets away from Newdale Pool until further notice due to contamination.
West Mercia Police released footage of the incident on 17 April 2026 as a reminder for motorists to stay vigilant around heavy goods vehicles. Area Manager Scott Hurford of the fire service confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway.
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