30 years on – remembering two firefighters who lost their lives in tragic fire

Relatives and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service firefighters past and present marked 30 years since two heroes lost their lives in a devastating blaze.

At its height, 130 firefighters using 23 pumping appliances were at the scene of the fire at a factory formerly known as ‘Sun Valley’ in Hereford on 6 September 1993. Among them were David Morris, 35, and John Davies, 34, who never made it out of the factory.

^{Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer Jon Pryce’s speech at the parade at Hereford Cathedral}

On Wednesday at 11:44, exactly 30 years on from the time of the call about the fire, crews held a parade at Hereford Fire Station in St Owen Street. Then at the Lady Arbour Garden at Hereford Cathedral in the afternoon there was a memorial parade and a wreath was placed at the memorial plaque which was unveiled in May.

HWFRS Chief Fire Officer Jon Pryce and Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority vice-chairman Roger Phillips gave speeches at the well-attended, moving tribute by the cathedral.

CFO Pryce said: “I hope that the many who visit this garden in the next 30 years will also take the time to honour John and David as we are doing.

“Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has not forgotten them and we never will.”

^{Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority vice-chairman Roger Phillips’ speech at the parade at Hereford Cathedral.>}