02/02/2005

Two firefighters killed as tower block blaze kills resident

Two firefighters have died during an attempt to rescue a person trapped in a burning block of flats in Hertfordshire.

A third person, understood to have been a resident, also died in the fire, which broke out in a block of flats in Stevenage in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Seven people were taken to hospital, where they were treated for burns and the effects of smoke inhalation. One person is reported to be in a critical condition.

Around 70 people were evacuated from the flats, after the fire broke out on the 14th floor around 3am this morning. The blaze then spread to the floor above.

In a statement to the BBC, Roy Wilsher, deputy chief fire officer with Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, described the tragedy as "the worst day for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for 30 years".

He also said that counselling was being provided for the families and the colleagues of the two firefighters who had lost their lives.

The dead firefighters have not yet been named.

(KMcA/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 May 2009
Heroic Tyne Firemen Honoured
Two Tyne and Wear firefighters are to be recognised for their bravery at a special ceremony today. Andrew Nelson and Allan Richardson will be presented with the Chief Fire Officer's Commendations for brave and meritorious conduct after saving a man's life. The men took part in a dramatic rescue in the early hours of 4 February.
17 February 2009
Homophobia In The Fire & Rescue Service Is Unacceptable: Sadiq Khan
The Fire Minister Sadiq Khan and the Fire & Rescue Service's associations and unions joined forces today urging all Fire and Rescue Services to sign up to the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme.
31 August 2006
Firefighters launch four-day strike
More than 1,000 firefighters across Merseyside have begun a four-day strike in protest over planned job cuts. Another four-day stoppage is scheduled to begin two hours after the first one ends.
22 March 2005
Fire costs economy £7.7 billion
Fire cost the economy in England and Wales £7.7 billion in 2003, according to a new report. 'The Economic Costs of Fire' report found that direct losses from fire – such as death, injury, absence and damage to property – amounted to £3.3 billion.
21 October 2009
Tragic Strathclyde Fire Probed
An investigation is to be carried out by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and Strathclyde Police after an eight-year-old girl and a woman, aged 40, died following a house fire in South Lanarkshire. A Strathclyde Police spokesman said firefighters were called to the property in Devondale Avenue, Blantyre, at about 2.15am today.