Chester firefighter who died in WW2 blitz blaze honoured

Cyril George Dutton died after being hit by falling masonry at Chester's Commercial Hall

A firefighter who was fatally injured while fighting a blaze during the World War Two blitz has been honoured for "his sacrifice", a union has said.

Cyril George Dutton died after being hit by falling masonry at Chester's Commercial Hall on 28 November 1940.

Chester was facing a heavy bombing raid at the time, which saw almost 200 bombs being dropped on the city.

Fire Brigades Union (FBU) general secretary Matt Wrack said the 25-year-old had shown "dedication and bravery".

The union said Mr Dutton had not been due to work on the night of the raid, but had volunteered to help tackle the blaze on Foregate Street.

"Although Cyril was rostered to be off-duty, he went to 'see what the lads have got'," an FBU representative said.

"He ran to the fire station and donned his kit before running to an incident off Foregate Street, where the Commercial Hall was seriously involved in fire."

A piper led a procession through Chester city centre before a plaque was unveiled

FBU representatives and firefighters and officers from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the ceremony

They said at about 23:30 GMT, there was "a serious collapse of masonry" and the firefighter and a colleague were "seriously injured".

"Both were taken to Chester Royal Infirmary and, while [his colleague] survived, Cyril's injuries were later to prove fatal," they added.

A ceremony to unveil a plaque on Foregate Street was attended by Mr Dutton's family, the Lord Mayor of Chester, FBU representatives and firefighters and officers from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

A commemorative plaque has been unveiled on Foregate Street in Chester

Mr Wrack said it was a firefighter's "duty to remember those who came before us and gave their lives to protect others".

"We are proud to unveil a plaque in memory of Cyril Dutton... whose dedication and bravery is a vital part of the history of our service," he added.

"We will always remember his sacrifice."