Hundreds owe lives to fire crews

Firefighters have saved the lives of more than 800 people in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire during the last decade, a new report has revealed.

The work of fire and rescue services between 1997 and 2006 has been reviewed by the Fire Brigades Union.

The report found during this time 454 people were rescued in Hertfordshire and 362 in Bedfordshire.

Figures covering the whole of the east of England showed that 11,582 traffic accident casualties were also rescued.

General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union Matt Wrack said: "Everyone in the fire service knows there is terrible human tragedy behind all these incidents. Lives are lost as well as saved and families, friends and communities are left devastated.

"These figures are not a celebration of the work of the fire service. But they do underline that there is hope, help, rescue and survival as well as tragedy and loss."