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| Firefighters killed in fire named | Firefighters killed in fire named |
| (41 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 2000 BST on Tuesday. | James Shears, 35, and Alan Bannon, 38, died at the 15-storey Shirley Towers in Church Street where fire broke out just after 2000 BST on Tuesday. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 'Courage and dedication' | 'Courage and dedication' |
| 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. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "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." |
| Chief fire officer Bonney added: "At this stage it is not appropriate to speculate around circumstances relating to this incident." | Chief fire officer Bonney added: "At this stage it is not appropriate to speculate around circumstances relating to this incident." |
| South Central Ambulance Service said seven casualties, including Mr Shears and Mr Bannon and the two firefighters who suffered burns, were taken to Southampton General Hospital. | South Central Ambulance Service said seven casualties, including Mr Shears and Mr Bannon and the two firefighters who suffered burns, were taken to Southampton General Hospital. |
| Advertisement | Advertisement |
| Eyewitnesses describe the scene - Mobile footage captured the flames | |
| Residents were evacuated from 24 flats inside the building, one of Southampton's tallest, and were provided with emergency accommodation by the city council. | Residents were evacuated from 24 flats inside 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 drafted in. | Nearby roads were cordoned off by police as up to 20 fire engines were called to the scene and firefighters from neighbouring counties were drafted in. |
| Ch Supt Matthew Greening, of Hampshire Constabulary, said the force continued to work closely with the fire service investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. | Ch Supt Matthew Greening, of Hampshire Constabulary, said the force continued to work closely with the fire service investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. |
| He paid tribute to the two men, adding: "We work very closely with our colleagues from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and I know the devastating impact this will have on the organisation." | He paid tribute to the two men, adding: "We work very closely with our colleagues from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and I know the devastating impact this will have on the organisation." |
| Sammy Judd noticed smoke pouring into her flat In pictures: Southampton flats fire | Sammy Judd noticed smoke pouring into her flat In pictures: Southampton flats fire |
| Communities Secretary John Denham said: "Our thoughts and condolences are with the families of the two firefighters who have tragically lost their lives in the fire in Southampton. | Communities Secretary John Denham said: "Our thoughts and condolences are with the families of the two firefighters who have tragically lost their lives in the fire in Southampton. |
| "The incident brings home to us the professionalism and dedication of the men and women working in our fire and rescue services and of the debt of gratitude we owe them." | "The incident brings home to us the professionalism and dedication of the men and women working in our fire and rescue services and of the debt of gratitude we owe them." |
| Mr Denham added that he had asked Sir Ken Knight, the government's chief fire and rescue adviser, to keep him updated on the joint police and fire service investigation into the cause of the fire, which is believed to have started on the seventh floor. | Mr Denham added that he had asked Sir Ken Knight, the government's chief fire and rescue adviser, to keep him updated on the joint police and fire service investigation into the cause of the fire, which is believed to have started on the seventh floor. |
| The Health and Safety Executive has also been informed. | The Health and Safety Executive has also been informed. |
| Floral tributes | Floral tributes |
| Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), said: "Firefighters across the UK will be devastated by this tragedy and our thoughts are with the families of those who died." | Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), said: "Firefighters across the UK will be devastated by this tragedy and our thoughts are with the families of those who died." |
| Peter Holland, vice president of the Chief Fire Officers' Association, said: "The whole firefighting community is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic deaths. | Peter Holland, vice president of the Chief Fire Officers' Association, said: "The whole firefighting community is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic deaths. |
| "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our lost colleagues." | "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our lost colleagues." |
| Ross Simpson, a Shirley Towers resident, told BBC Radio Solent he was watching a DVD when he first realised a fire had broken out. | Ross Simpson, a Shirley Towers resident, told BBC Radio Solent he was watching a DVD when he first realised a fire had broken out. |
| Chief officer John Bonney: "We are devastated by the loss of our colleagues" | Chief officer John Bonney: "We are devastated by the loss of our colleagues" |
| "Around about 8.15pm I just heard sirens around the block," he said. | "Around about 8.15pm I just heard sirens around the block," he said. |
| "I looked out of the window and saw a group of people outside and I saw fire engines turn up. | "I looked out of the window and saw a group of people outside and I saw fire engines turn up. |
| "I looked out of my kitchen window, looked up and basically, saw black smoke coming out of the flats." | "I looked out of my kitchen window, looked up and basically, saw black smoke coming out of the flats." |
| Resident Sammy Judd said: "I looked out the window and saw all the smoke and I grabbed my [three-year-old] daughter and told my friend we had to get out. | Resident Sammy Judd said: "I looked out the window and saw all the smoke and I grabbed my [three-year-old] daughter and told my friend we had to get out. |
| "Next thing we know, there's smoke pouring into our flat." | "Next thing we know, there's smoke pouring into our flat." |
| The Union Jack flag has been flying at half mast at St Mary's fire station, where floral tributes have been laid in memory of Mr Shears and Mr Bannon. | The Union Jack flag has been flying at half mast at St Mary's fire station, where floral tributes have been laid in memory of Mr Shears and Mr Bannon. |
| One card read: "You gave your lives keeping the public safe. The most precious sacrifice one gives to another. God bless." | One card read: "You gave your lives keeping the public safe. The most precious sacrifice one gives to another. God bless." |
| It was signed: "With love, every person in Southampton." | It was signed: "With love, every person in Southampton." |
| Other floral tributes included one from Southampton Football Club. | Other floral tributes included one from Southampton Football Club. |
| Another tribute read: "Sadly missed, never forgotten." | Another tribute read: "Sadly missed, never forgotten." |