Manchester Arena Inquiry: Fire chief apologises for 'wholly inadequate and totally ineffective' response

Greater Manchester's Chief Fire Officer has apologised for the 'wholly inadequate and totally ineffective' response of the service on the night of the Arena bombing.

Greater Manchester's Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has repeatedly apologised after its firefighters took more than two hours to arrive at the scene of the 2017 blast, blaming 'silence' from Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Frustrated firefighters were kept away from the scene due to their bosses' fears of a continuing terror attack even though police and paramedics rushed towards danger.

Firefighters based at Thompson Street fire station in central Manchester, close to the Arena, were even ordered to rendezvous further away, at Phillips's Park fire station, passing ambulances heading in the opposite direction.

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Today Chief Fire Officer David Russel, who was installed in 2020, made another public apology on behalf of the fire service, telling the continuing public inquiry the response on the night was 'wholly inadequate and totally ineffective'.

He told the inquiry and watching families: "We let people down when they needed us the most. I do hope that my witness statement and evidence today serves to demonstrate that the apology issued by my service was more than words and reflects a real and genuine determination of the organisation (not) to repeat the mistakes of that night."

The inquiry is hearing evidence from key figures about the implementation of 'monitored recommendations' suggested by chairman Sir John Saunders, to find out if lessons have been learned.

Mr Russel said the fire service had adopted all the four recommendations made by Sir John. He said they were a 'real driver