fire engine

About 20 minutes later, the accounting department calls, and the lady says, ‘Bob, write this number down. This is the charging number for the fire engine project.’

The fire brigade said it needed 12 fire engines and two height vehicles at the peak of the blaze in Crabble Road, which was still burning on Sunday.

Budget papers from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Services confirmed estimates suggested they could see a 50% shortfall in funding, which "would equate to the cost of one fully-staffed fire engine".

"Three fire engines remain on scene at this incident, with fire crews working alongside specialist urban search and rescue teams to account for all local residents."

Crews were called to the area near the St Fergus Gas Terminal at about 13:00 - including a specialist wildfire unit and five fire engines - and left at about 19:40.