Fatal Incident – Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – Brother Barry Martin
FBU responds to the death of Firefighter Barry Martin
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has now confirmed that Firefighter Barry Martin has passed away following serious injuries sustained at a fire in the Jenners Building in Edinburgh on Monday 23rd January. Responding to this news, Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said...
1974 Paddington Worsley Hotel fire: Red Plaque for Hamish Pettit unveiled
A plaque has been unveiled to remember the firefighter who lost his life fighting the 1974 Worsley Hotel fire in Paddington. Seven people died in the fire, including firefighter Hamish ‘Harry’ Pettit. He was just 25 years old at the time of his death. Prior to his death Pettit and his colleagues had...
Grenfell Tower Inquiry: “agenda of deregulation” key
The Fire Brigades Union lawyer for the inquiry has placed central importance on a government “agenda of deregulation, privatisation and marketisation” for causing the disaster. The comments were made as part of the opening statements for Module 6 of Phase 2 of the Grenfell inquiry. Phase 2 is...
King’s Cross fire: plaque unveiled for fallen firefighter on anniversary
A new plaque has been unveiled to remember the firefighter who died in the King’s Cross fire in 1987. The fire is one of the worst fires in recent British history, with 31 people losing their lives and more than 100 people badly injured. Colin Townsley, the firefighter killed, was part of the first...
Gillender Street fire 30th anniversary: calls for safety advances to be preserved
Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack spoke out on the 30 th anniversary of the Gillender Street fire in Tower Hamlets, London. Two firefighters died in the fire after running out of air. Wrack has personal links to the tragedy, having worked at Kingsland fire station with one of the...
