Firefighters killed

The deaths of two firefighters, who were killed as they tried to put out a fire in a tower block last month, has once again focused attention on high-rise fire safety. James Shears and Alan Bannon were killed as they tackled a blaze at a 15-storey block in Southampton.

In 2009, six residents died in a fire at the 12-storey tower block in south London. This is currently the subject of an ongoing investigation by the fire brigade and the police.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has started an investigation into the causes of the Southampton tragedy and a joint fire service and police investigation is also underway. The union has set up a memorial fund to assist the men’s families.