Firefighters launch bid for Christmas number one

The song "Fire Safety Dance" is performed by Big Shaun and the Steel People

A group of firefighters are hoping to set the festive charts ablaze as they bid to become Christmas number one with their charity single.

Fire Safety Dance - a play on the Men Without Hats hit The Safety Dance - is performed by crew from South Yorkshire Fire and Recuse with local band Big Shaun and the Steel People.

It has been released to celebrate the daily work of firefighters and mark the brigade's 50th anniversary.

Proceeds from the single will go to the Fire Fighters Charity, which supports the mental health of firefighters and their families who have gone through traumatic events.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Andy Strelczenie, said it was not the first time the service had released a single, with "Chip Pans on Fire" their previous attempt at a number one eight years ago.

"We wanted to do it again with the Fire Fighters Charity so we were contacted by Big Shaun some months ago to ask if we'd be willing to do something a bit different again this year," he said.

Although a number of songs were considered for the single, Mr Strelczenie said it was important it had a fire safety message.

The music video for Fire Safety Dance has been posted on social media ahead of its release

The aim is for Fire Safety Dance to make it to the top of the music charts on 20 December, after its release on Friday.

However, the real success of the track's success lies in the money raised for the Fire Fighters Charity, the service said.

"During their working hours, firefighters can be exposed to truly traumatic and difficult circumstances," Mr Strelczenie said.

"It's only in recent years that we've begun to appreciate how deeply this can affect our staff and what we can do to help them, and the Fire Fighter's Charity are a big part of that."

Prior to its release on streaming services, the music video has been posted on social media.

It includes a specially-created dance by dance school INK Dance, with the public asked to send in videos of them performing the routine.

"We would just like people to look at it, help us try to get to Christmas number one and put South Yorkshire on the map," Mr Strelczenie added.

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