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Without them, the Woodman Avenue explosion would have been much worse.
Thursday afternoon, London police saluted the officers, first responders, behind-the-scenes staff members, and ordinary citizens who without pausing to think about their own safety prevented the blast on Aug. 14, 2019, in London’s Old East Village from becoming an even greater tragedy.
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“In the face of unknown danger . . . heroes emerged from all directions to offer assistance” police Chief Steve Williams said during a 20-minute virtual ceremony. He prefaced that remark by saying he doesn’t use the term “hero” lightly.
LONDON, ONT. Those who assisted in the moments after the Woodman Avenue explosion on Aug. 14, 2019, have been honoured by the London Police Service. In a short virtual ceremony Chief Steve Williams, Dr. Javeed Sukhera, police board chair, and London Mayor Ed Holder congratulated members of the police force, fire department, EMS and the public. All their “quick action saved lives,” Williams stated, reiterating he’d wished he could thank everyone in person. “Heroes are an appropriate term for the men and women we have honoured here today.” Holder and leadership representatives from Middlesex-London Paramedic Services and the London Fire Department echoed those comments.
By Hannah Theodore
Jan 29, 2021 4:24 PM
On Thursday Jan. 28, London Police held a virtual ceremony to recognize the many heroes of the Woodman Ave. explosion.
22 individuals were recognized, as well as the London Fire Department and the Middlesex-London Paramedic Service.
“Aug. 14, 2019, is a date that will live in people’s minds for a very long time,” said Chief of Police, Steve Williams. “On that evening, in only a matter of minutes, Woodman Ave. went from a calm, quiet neighbourhood to the scene of a serious collision and subsequent devastating explosion. In the face of unknown danger, and amidst the chaos that comes from unexpected tragedy, heroes emerged from all directions to offer assistance.”