Colchester Gazette: The Rt Rev Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell said a major wildfire at Dunwich Heath forced the evacuation of nearby homes and caravans, leaving residents, farming communities, local businesses and holidaymakers facing uncertainty and disruption.
She said she was praying for those affected and for firefighters still responding to the emergency. She also thanked Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service for working tirelessly in extremely challenging conditions, alongside other emergency services and partner agencies.
Dunwich Heath and the Suffolk coast
Grenfell is the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, and her response followed the spread of the wildfire across Dunwich Heath and along the Suffolk coast. Her comments placed the focus on the people forced out by the blaze and on the crews working around it.
In her statement, she said: "I am holding in my prayers all those affected by the major wildfire at Dunwich Heath and along the Suffolk coast, especially residents, our farming communities, local businesses and holidaymakers who have faced uncertainty, disruption and evacuation as a result of this incident."
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service for
She added: "As firefighters continue to respond to the emergency, I pray for the safety, strength and wellbeing of everyone involved." That kept the immediate priority on the response rather than on the cause or full extent of damage.
She also said: "I would also like to express my deep gratitude to Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, whose crews have been working tirelessly in extremely challenging conditions, alongside other emergency services and partner agencies." She described their "professionalism, courage and commitment to protecting lives, homes and the natural environment" as remarkable.
Joanne Woolway Grenfell
Grenfell said: "At a time like this, we see the very best of people coming together in service of their neighbours." She ended by urging support for those affected: "As communities face the immediate impacts of this wildfire, let us continue to support one another."
The evacuation of homes and caravans leaves the clearest practical consequence for people near Dunwich Heath: stay away from the affected area until emergency crews have finished their work and follow any instruction tied to the response already under way.
