Inquiry ongoing into blaze that killed firefighters (From Daily Echo)

Inquiry ongoing into Southampton blaze that killed firefighters Alan Bannon and James Shears

7:11pm Wednesday 30th March 2011 in Southampton Firefighter Deaths By Matt Smith, Politics and business reporter

INVESTIGATIONS are still ongoing into the deaths of two Southampton firefighters killed while tackling a tower block blaze nearly a year ago, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Alan Bannon, 38, and Jim Shears, 35, died after being overcome by extreme heat while fighting flames at Shirley Towers. All residents of the 15-storey block – including one heavily pregnant woman were either evacuated or led to safety.

But Hampshire police are still looking into what happened on the night of April 6 last year when the fire started in a seventh-floor flat.

A week before the anniversary no reports have yet been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or the coroner.

A spokesman for the Southampton coroner said no date was set for the inquests into the deaths because they were awaiting the files. The CPS confirmed that no paperwork had been received.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: “Our inquiries are still continuing into the tragedy. No further information including what aspects our inquiries cover or when the results are expected will be released at this time.”

It emerged yesterday that a two-minute silence will be held next week in memory of Alan and Jim, members of Red Watch at St Mary’s fire station.

Staff across Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service will mark the anniversary of the tragedy by observing the silence at 11am on Wednesday and flying flags at half mast.

The fire service drew up the plans with Alan and Jim’s families and colleagues.

Members of Red Watch will lay flowers at a memorial at fire HQ in Eastleigh to remember their colleagues. Jim, of Poole, had been in the service for nearly seven years, and Alan, of Southampton, eightand- a-half years.

Chief Fire Officer John Bonney said: “Since the incident we have moved forward as a service and focus on new challenges, but Jim and Alan and their families will forever remain in our thoughts.”

The fire service has opened online books of condolence.