CTindex - Christian Today UK Interactive Catalogue
Society

Firefighters determined to bring out colleagues

Posted: Monday, November 5, 2007, 13:52 (GMT)
Font Scale:A A A

Search teams are working non-stop in an attempt to find three firemen who are believed to have died during a warehouse blaze in Warwickshire, fire officers said on Monday.

Nine teams from around the country are conducting an inch by inch search of the gutted warehouse at Atherstone-on-Stour using specialist cameras and diggers.

Half the first floor has been searched after part of the structure had to be rebuilt.

But the entire ground floor has still to be examined and firefighters said they will get a clearer idea by midnight of whether a bigger operation will be needed.

"Warwickshire firefighters are absolutely committed to retrieving their colleagues," said Glen Ranger, deputy chief fire officer for the county.

"It has been difficult for them, but their professionalism, as usual, will kick in and we will be taking our own colleagues from this building as soon as possible."

One firefighter has already been confirmed dead after the roof collapsed as he tackled the massive blaze on Friday. Police are treating the fire as suspicious.

Assistant County Fire Officer John Hall said they knew precisely where the firemen were last seen, but were carrying out a far broader search.

"The poignancy of working alongside our colleagues, with the loss they have suffered, is not lost on any single person on this incident ground at all," he said.

The job has been hampered by substantial movement within the building.

"It is an immense operation," Hall added.

The BBC reported that sprinklers had not been fitted at the vegetable-packing warehouse.

About 100 firefighters from Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands worked through the weekend to bring the fire under control.

Union leaders said that if the missing firefighters are confirmed dead, it would be the fire service's worst loss of life in decades.



© Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.
Have your say on this article
Christian Aid Christmas
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here
Bible Society
World Headline
Iraq: The fear of massacre

Iraq: The fear of massacre

Up to 20 Christians have been killed in just 10 days as fears of an impending massacre grip the Iraqi city of Mosul.
Sponsored Features
Inspire YOUR church to tackle poverty in YOUR community. Order a CAP Sunday FREE resource pack today! For holidays and retreats in the Scottish borders. Whitchester Christian Guest House 01450 377 477 Friendly printing company for churches, charities and businesses nationwide!
Google Advertisement
Externally generated - Report offensive links here