In 2017 , the service came under considerable controversy on the night of the Manchester Arena bombing due to arriving two hours later than the police after the bombing . A report by Lord Bob Kerslake found that the Service deployed units only at 00:15 after conversation was overheard of armed police being sent in to scout the area one-and-a-half hours earlier . Then-Chief Fire Officer Peter O'Reilly apologised for the delay in response , although blaming the Greater Manchester Police for the delay , citing an " information vacuum " from the force and for not correctly liaising with the ambulance and fire services following the bombing
Manchester Arena bombing
Manchester Arena bombing
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service