Images of Fire: Into action with West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, is being released to mark four decades since the seven city/county borough brigades across the region amalgamated to form West Yorkshire Fire Service in April 1974.
Revealing the true bravery of Firefighters on the ground at major incidents, the photos capture the physicality of the action close-up, as well as the emotional story often etched on their faces.
Examples of incidents featured include the 1975 Kirkgate Market blaze in Leeds, the 1985 tragic Bradford City Football Ground fire which killed 56 people and injured many others, and the 1994 mill fire in Spring Mill Street, Bradford.
Another significant incident featured is the Allied Colloids chemical plant fire in Bradford in 1992.
The book also takes a look back in time at how the brigade has evolved through technological and cultural changes.
WYFRS Chief Fire Officer Simon Pilling said: “’Images of Fire’ is dedicated to all the men and women who have helped provide and deliver a tremendous service to the public and business communities of West Yorkshire over the last 40 years.”
CFO Pilling also uses the book to pay a lasting tribute to Fireman Jeff Naylor who paid the ultimate sacrifice when he died in July 1983, more than two months after suffering severe burns attempting to rescue children from a house fire in Keighley. He was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery. The fire also claimed the lives of two children, however, three youngsters were saved.
Former Chief Fire Officer of Devon Fire and Rescue Service, Neil Wallington, who is now an International Fire and Rescue Consultant, compiled the book in collaboration with a small team from WYFRS. Neil is a prolific writer on the work of the fire service, and “Images of Fire” is his 18th book.
He added: "My new West Yorkshire title contains some of the most dramatic images of the Fire Service in action ever captured by the camera."
The images have all been taken by WYFRS’ photographic team - the recently retired Brian Saville as well as Andrew Hanson and Ken Wilkinson, who work in the Visual Services department.
The West Yorkshire Fire Service was formed in 1974 when the West Riding and County Borough Brigades were amalgamated. This saw the West Riding County Fire Service, Leeds City Fire Brigade, Wakefield City Fire Brigade, Dewsbury County Borough Fire Brigade, Halifax County Borough Fire Brigade, Huddersfield County Borough Fire Brigade and Bradford City Fire Brigade come together.
The book will be available to buy in shops for £14.99 or direct from the publishers, Jeremy Mills Publishing, on 01484 463340 or by visiting www.firebookshop.co.uk.
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