The cause of a fire which killed two firemen, james Shears, 35, and Alan Bannon, 38, is unknown at present, but the police and fire service are conducting enquiries. The firemen had both served for more than seven years and were members of the Red Watch at St Mary’s Firestation in Southampton.

It was in Shirley Towers Church Street Southampton, a fire started on the ninth floor which was home to a single mum and her two children on Tuesday evening at around 8pm. An hour after the fire started, the blaze was like an inferno. The family along with all the other residents of the flats were evacuated and cared for by the Salvation Army, there were no casualties to the flats residents.

There were 20 fire appliances called from around Hampshire to tackle the fire which was causing severe problems due to its location. The police had cordoned off the area around the fifteen story building. The area was crowded with police, ambulances and the fire service.

The block of flats has a front and rear door, and the evacuation of the residents went like clockwork. The residents were given accommodation by Southampton City Council.

The fire service was working extremely hard for many hours to extinguish the flames and to save the residents from the injury from fire.

Two other firemen were taken to hospital to have minor hand burn injuries dealt with.

The block of flats in Southampton had a fire several years ago, which happened on the top floor.