McDonald’s sorry for sending exhausted firefighters to Newtown

McDonald’s have issued an apology after exhausted volunteer firefighters working all night to battle Tuesday night’s inferno in Welshpool were declined food and hot drinks during a quick trip to refuel.

The blaze on Severn Farm Industrial Estate raged through the night, with dozens of firefighters from across Mid Wales and Shropshire dispatched to the scene.

As the fire fight continued into the early hours, MyWelshpool understands that a pair of firefighters were dispatched to Welshpool’s 24-hour McDonald’s drive-thru at around 3am to buy 44 cheeseburgers and 44 hot drinks.

But their order was declined, apparently due to the staff on duty saying they were unable to handle such a large order, informing them to travel to Newtown instead.

Angry family members contacted us, with one, asking not to be named, explaining that she was aware that many of those working through the night then went straight to their normal jobs in the morning without sleep.

“It’s just not acceptable,” we were told. “They had to go to Newtown to get the food and drinks which were then cold by the time they got back to the firefighters in Welshpool.”

McDonald’s have responded, highlighting that the firefighters should have had “VIP treatment”.

A spokesperson said: “We sincerely apologise for the service the fire crew experienced. At McDonald’s we are proud to support our emergency services. We will take steps to invite the crew to return and enjoy the VIP treatment they deserved during their initial visit.”

While firefighters were believed to be unhappy, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were diplomatic, stating that they understood Welshpool McDonald’s restaurant had very limited staff numbers and therefore couldn’t fulfil the order".

Tuesday night’s blaze, thought to have been accidentally started by some sort of fault, was eventually extinguished by first light Wednesday, having originally started at around 10pm.