Chief hails 'valiant' firemen killed in blaze

Tributes have been paid to two "valiant" firefighters killed in a tower block blaze.

James Shears, 35, and Alan Bannon, 38, died after a fire at Shirley Towers in Church Street, Southampton, went "completely out of control", according to neighbours.

Hampshire Chief Fire Officer John Bonney told a press conference the officers had been "valiant" in "extremely difficult circumstances".

The blaze will revive memories of the horrors of last July when more than 100 firefighters tackled a raging fire in Lakanal House tower block in Camberwell, south London.