Fire station closures will “cost lives” in the East End, Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman has warned.
Speaking at Whitechapel Fire Brigade office, Mr Rahman joined Fire Brigades Union representative Paul Embury to urge Mayor of London Boris Johnson to safeguard the futures of the East End’s fire stations.
Both Whitechapel and Bow fire stations are under threat of closure as the London Fire Authority seeks savings of �65m over two years.
Mr Rahman said: “I fear that these proposals from Boris Johnson will cost lives. That is why I have joined in a public show of solidarity with the FBU to fight Boris’ proposed fire cuts.”
A rally is due to be held in central London in January as firefighters from across London unite in opposition to possible closures of stations.
Mr Embury said: “This is the biggest threat to the fire service since the Second World War.
“We are asking people to join with us against these fire cuts.”
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