Fire union reveals 'lives saved'

Firefighters are rescuing more than 200 people a year from blazes and road crashes, according to figures from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in Surrey.

The union said between 1997 and 2006 more than 2,400 people were saved by Surrey fire crews.

The FBU said its figures were based on Freedom of Information requests, answers to parliamentary questions and official UK fire statistics.

The union said the details showed there was hope of survival.

Ricky Matthews of the FBU, southern region, 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."