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.

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

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.