Two firefighters killed rescuing men from blaze

Two firefighters died yesterday while rescuing two men from a building in east London. It was the first double death in the fire service for eight years.

Two firefighters died yesterday while rescuing two men from a building in east London. It was the first double death in the fire service for eight years.

Adam Meere, 27, and Bill Faust, 36, were killed after a roof collapsed at a burning three-storey building in Bethnal Green. The London Fire Brigade received a 999 call to attend a clothes shop, Sohan and Son, shortly after 4am, by which time the fire was spreading to the upper levels where the two residents were trapped.

Eight fire engines and 40 firefighters tackled the blaze. The two men were rescued from the roof of the building and treated for smoke inhalation.

Mr Meere and Mr Faust were seriously injured during the rescue and died shortly after arriving at hospital.

Ken Knight, Commissioner of London Fire Brigade, described the incident as one of the worst moments of his career. He said: "This is a tragic day in fire fighting. We have lost a young man and a young father with three children under the age of six."

A spokesman for Downing Street said: "The Prime Minister sends his sympathies to the families. He recognises the debt that we owe firefighters and the risks that they run to protect people at home and at work.''