Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service undated handout photos of James Shears (left) and Alan Bannon, the two firefighters killed battling a blaze in a block of flats, who died from exposure to excessive heat, post-mortem examinations revealed. PRESS
A ONE-MINUTE silence has been held today to remember firefighters killed while tackling a fire in Southampton 11 years ago.
James Shears, 35, and Alan Bannon, 38, died at Shirley Towers on April 6 2010.
Both were serving with Red Watch at St Mary's fire station when they were called to a fire on the 9th floor of the 15-storey city tower block.
The pair were part of the second team of breathing apparatus wearers to be committed into the flat.
Both died during a sudden escalation of the fire and two other firefighters suffered burns.
The silence was observed by crews with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service this morning.
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