Firefighters pay tribute to fallen comrades who perished in blaze
FIREFIGHTERS gathered to pay tribute to crewmates who died when a ceiling collapsed on them in a burning building five years ago. A firefighter climbed a ladder in the memorial for Billy Faust and Adam Meere to lay a wreath on the first-floor window-sill of the building in Bethnal Green where they lost their lives in July, 2004
By Danielle Myles
FIREFIGHTERS gathered in London’s East End this week to pay tribute to two crewmates who died when a ceiling collapsed on them in a burning building five years ago.
A firefighter climbed a ladder during the memorial service for father-of-three Billy Faust and his colleague Adam Meere and laid a wreath on the first-floor window-sill of the building in Bethnal Green where they lost their lives in July, 2004.
It was followed by a minute’s silence on the pavement in Bethnal Green Road by fire crews and Billy’s father David Faust.
You may also want to watch:
Billy, who left behind a wife and three children, was 36 when he died. Adam, who was engaged to be married, was just 27.
HONOUR
Most Read
- 1 Leyton Orient confident next manager will take them to the next level
- 2 Man, 20, found fighting for life at illegal rave in Bow
- 3 Fire breaks out in flat near New Providence Wharf tower block
- 4 South Africa and Indian Covid variants found in Shoreditch and Dalston
- 5 Indian variant of Covid-19 - what's the situation in London?
- 6 Groomed girl speaks out after 'dangerous' Barking dealer who dealt Class A drugs in East End is jailed
- 7 Ex-police officer among group jailed for £850k intercept from rival gangs
- 8 Dog festival gets go-ahead for Isle of Dogs, of all places
- 9 Battle lost to save historic Whitechapel bell foundry
- 10 Kenny Jackett emerges as odds-on favourite for Leyton Orient job
Mr Faust fought back tears throughout the service, but praised the fire brigade’s tribute to his son.
“It’s just amazing they honour him,” he told the East London Advertiser. “Coming here makes the day harder.
“But it has to be done. Each year these guys make the effort to come here, so I have to be here.”
Both men were stationed at Whitechapel on that fateful morning when the blaze in the shop and dwellings broke out at 6am.
John Scott, the Whitechapel watch manager on duty at the time, said at the memorial: “Sometimes as firefighters we pay the ultimate price, and Billy and Adam paid that price.”
The 2006 inquest into the men’s deaths concluded that communication and water problems were contributing factors.
