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FIREFIGHTERS will unveil a memorial to two fallen comrades today on the 60th anniversary of the Smithfield fire tragedy.
The 1958 blaze in the basement of the famous London market led to the deaths of firefighters Jack Fourt-Wells and Richard Stocking.
Fire Brigades Union (FBU) general secretary Matt Wrack will lay a wreath at the site and a memorial red plaque will be unveiled in honour of the pair.
Since 2010, one in five firefighter jobs has disappeared alongside 30% funding cuts — all while climate breakdown brings record blazes and flooding. It’s time to fund our fire service properly, writes FBU general secretary STEVE WRIGHT
LYNNE WALSH tells the story of the extraordinary race against time to ensure London’s memorial to the International Brigades got built – as activists gather next week to celebrate the monument’s 40th anniversary