The bravery of the warehouse firefighters from Stratford, Alcester and Shipston is honoured each year at fire stations all over the county
TODAY marks the 16th year since the tragedy at Atherstone-on-Stour which claimed the lives of four local firefighters.
Ashley Stephens, aged 20, and Darren Yates-Badley, aged 24 from Alcester, John Averis, aged 27, formerly of Shipston and based at Stratford Fire Station in addition to Ian Reid, from Stratford, aged 44 all lost their lives in a major fire at a site owned by Wealmoor Atherstone Ltd on 2nd November 2007.
Up to 100 firefighters, from Warwickshire, Hereford and Worcester and the West Midlands, and five ambulance crews were sent to the blaze during that fateful night.
Traditionally flags at fire stations around the county are lowered to half-mast in tribute and a pause is observed at 7.28pm and remember the four firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Alcester Fire Station said in a Facebook post said: “We will be lowering of our flags to half-mast until sunrise on Friday 3rd November, pausing at 7:28pm this evening in remembrance of our four fallen colleagues, Darren Yates-Baddley and Ashley Stephens from Alcester and Ian Reid and John Averis from Stratford.
“We will never forget them, and the Service will continue to recognise their ultimate sacrifice in keeping our Community safe.”