Shirley Towers: Plaque honours firefighters killed in tower block fire

Jim Shears (left) and Alan Bannon died in the fire at the 15-storey tower block on 6 April, 2010

A plaque has been placed at a fire station in honour of two firefighters who died tackling a tower block blaze.

Alan Bannon, 38, and Jim Shears, 35, were overcome by sudden and  extreme temperatures in Shirley Towers, Southampton, on 6 April 2010.

The fire started in a flat on the ninth floor of the 15-storey block after a curtain was left on a lamp.

The red plaque, at St Mary's fire station, was unveiled earlier by Mr Bannon's daughter, Abigail.

Family, friends and colleagues of the two firefighters attended the ceremony

The red plaque was unveiled at St Mary's fire station

Family, friends and colleagues of the two firefighters attended the unveiling, wreath-laying, blessing, and a recital by a Fire Brigades Union (FBU) piper.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said the plaque "will remain a proud reminder of their dedication and service."

Father-of-two Mr Shears, 35, was from Poole, Dorset, and had been a firefighter for seven years.

Mr Bannon, 38, of Southampton, had been in the job for eight-and-a-half years and had one child.

The fire started in Flat 72 in Shirley Towers on 6 April 2010

An inquest found they had become entangled in cables that had fallen from the ceiling.

It prompted a change in wiring safety rules and regulations requiring electrical cables to be mounted in metal trunking instead of plastic.