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The Salvation Army responded to a request from the Chatham Emergency Management Agency Thursday evening to serve first responders fighting a massive fire at the Eastern Wharf Project construction site in downtown Savannah, Georgia.
The Salvation Army swiftly set up a serving station close to the emergency response area at 9:30 p.m. and started serving 70 firefighters and other emergency personnel who had been on scene since early in the afternoon.
The Salvation Army served hot soup and coffee throughout the night in 36-degree weather to firefighters from the Savannah, Garden City, Pooler and Chatham fire departments, the Savannah Police Department, and other first responders.
“We are thankful to serve such professional firemen and emergency officials who do such a great job in serving our communities,” said Major Paul Egan, the presiding Salvation Army officer in Savannah. “We will be here to serve fire, police, emergency personnel, and those who serve our community for as long as they need to make the area safe.”
According to officials with the City of Savannah, no injuries were reported from the fire.
At the peak of the response, Savannah Fire had as many as 20 units on scene working in tandem with the Savannah Police Department to keep the area and local residents safe.
“The impact of this event may be with this community for a long time,” Egan said. “But one thing Savanah can count on The Salvation Army for is to always be there in times of need with aid, support and comfort.”
Savannah Fire is currently investigating the cause of the blaze.
