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Funeral for city flat firefighter | Funeral for city flat firefighter |
(9 minutes later) | |
The funeral will take place later of one of two firefighters who died in a fire at a Southampton block of flats. | |
James Shears, 35, of Poole, Dorset, died alongside colleague Alan Bannon, 38, in the 15-storey Shirley Towers on 6 April. | |
Mr Shears' funeral will be held at St George's Church in Oakdale followed by a committal service. | |
Members of the public are invited to attend and are asked to wear colourful clothing to help celebrate his life. | |
Young families | |
Mr Shears, known as Jim, lived in Poole, Dorset, with his wife Carla and two sons aged four and five. | |
He also lived near his parents, Marilyn and Ed and brothers, Gary, Steven and Chas. | He also lived near his parents, Marilyn and Ed and brothers, Gary, Steven and Chas. |
Mrs Shears said following her husband's death: "Jim was the most wonderful dad and husband. | |
"He had always wanted to be a firefighter and was truly our hero." | |
His father added: "Jim had represented Great Britain in Judo and had been a World Firefighter Games champion on two separate occasions. | |
The Fire Brigades Union has started its own inquiry into the deaths | |
"He shared his skills training both youngsters and adults in this martial art. He also encouraged his brother Gary to become a Judo coach and will be a tough act to follow. | |
"He was the perfect son and we are all going to miss him terribly." | |
Mr Shears joined Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2003 and served with St Mary's Red Watch alongside Mr Bannon, who lived in Bitterne in the city and also had a young family. | Mr Shears joined Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in 2003 and served with St Mary's Red Watch alongside Mr Bannon, who lived in Bitterne in the city and also had a young family. |
Hundreds of colleagues lined the streets of Southampton on Tuesday for Mr Bannon's funeral. | Hundreds of colleagues lined the streets of Southampton on Tuesday for Mr Bannon's funeral. |
A fire service and police investigation is continuing into how the fire started and how the men died. | A fire service and police investigation is continuing into how the fire started and how the men died. |
The occupants of flat 72, where the fire started, told the BBC it was caused by a curtain left draped over a lightbulb. | The occupants of flat 72, where the fire started, told the BBC it was caused by a curtain left draped over a lightbulb. |
The firefighters were both found unconscious by paramedics in a flat on the ninth floor of the block and Mr Bannon was pronounced dead at the scene. | The firefighters were both found unconscious by paramedics in a flat on the ninth floor of the block and Mr Bannon was pronounced dead at the scene. |
Mr Shears was taken to Southampton General Hospital and died there two hours later despite attempts to revive him. | Mr Shears was taken to Southampton General Hospital and died there two hours later despite attempts to revive him. |
A memorial service is planned for both firefighters at Winchester Cathedral in July. | A memorial service is planned for both firefighters at Winchester Cathedral in July. |