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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Firefighters killed in fire named | Firefighters killed in fire named |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Two firefighters killed while tackling a fire at a high-rise block of flats in Southampton have been named. | Two firefighters killed while tackling a fire at a high-rise block of flats in Southampton have been named. |
| James Shears, 35, and Alan Bannon, 38, died at the 15-storey Shirley Towers in Church Street where fire broke out just after 0800 BST. | James Shears, 35, and Alan Bannon, 38, died at the 15-storey Shirley Towers in Church Street where fire broke out just after 0800 BST. |
| A further two firefighters suffered minor burns to their hands. | A further two firefighters suffered minor burns to their hands. |
| Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire began in Flat 72 and all the residents were rescued. A spokesman said an investigation has begun. | Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire began in Flat 72 and all the residents were rescued. A spokesman said an investigation has begun. |
| Both men were full-time firefighters and members of Red Watch at St Mary's fire station in Southampton. | Both men were full-time firefighters and members of Red Watch at St Mary's fire station in Southampton. |
| I would like to pay tribute to the courage, dedication and service of those firefighters Chief fire officer John Bonney | |
| Mr Shears had been with the service just under seven years; Mr Bannon for eight and a half years. | Mr Shears had been with the service just under seven years; Mr Bannon for eight and a half years. |
| Chief fire officer John Bonney told a press conference: "We are devastated by the loss of our colleagues who died in the line of duty. | |
| "Our thoughts are with their families, with their friends and their colleagues who have all been stunned by these events. | |
| "I would like to pay tribute to the courage, dedication and service of those firefighters. | |
| "This tragic incident is another tragic reminder of the danger that emergency services put themselves in day in, day out to ensure the safety of the public." | |
| Residents were evacuated from the building, one of Southampton's tallest, and were provided with emergency accommodation by the city council. | |
| Nearby roads were cordoned off by police as up to 20 fire engines were called to the scene and firefighters from neighbouring counties were called in to help. |