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Striking firefighters went to Welwyn Garden City fatal blaze Striking firefighters 'did not attend' to Welwyn Garden City fatal blaze
(about 3 hours later)
Striking Hertfordshire firefighters "unofficially" responded to a fire during industrial action in which a man died, union leaders said. Hertfordshire Fire Service has disputed union claims that striking firefighters responded to a fatal fire during industrial action.
The victim, in his 40s, suffered severe burns during the blaze in Heronswood Road, Welwyn Garden City, on Saturday. A man in his 40s died after sustaining severe burns in the blaze in Heronswood Road, Welwyn Garden City, on Saturday.
The FBU said a fire station about 400 yards (365m) away had been unmanned but nearby striking firefighters came to help. The FBU said a station about 400 yards (365m) away was unmanned but nearby striking firefighters went to help.
Hertfordshire Fire Service said its response time was 10 minutes. Hertfordshire Fire Service said: "No striking firefighters attended despite attempts to mobilise [them]".
A spokesman said it sent three crews from elsewhere when the fire broke out at about 14:00 BST. A spokesman said it sent three crews from elsewhere when the fire broke out at about 14:00 BST and the response time was 10 minutes.
The response would "most likely would have been faster" if there had not been a strike but it was "unclear" if there would have been a different outcome, he added. Deputy chief fire officer John Mills said the response would "most likely would have been faster" if there had not been a strike but it was "unclear" if there would have been a different outcome.
"I can assure any members of the public who are concerned about safety that our contingency arrangements have stood up well throughout this and previous strike actions," he said.
"All our resilience crews are operated by fully trained and competent staff."
'No request''No request'
Del Macleod, chairman of the Hertfordshire branch of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), said striking firefighters were not at the nearby station at the time as they were banned from the premises while taking industrial action. Del Macleod, chairman of the Hertfordshire branch of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), said striking firefighters were not at the nearby station at the time.
"No formal request was made to recall firefighters from the strike but striking firefighters nearby were alerted and responded," he said."No formal request was made to recall firefighters from the strike but striking firefighters nearby were alerted and responded," he said.
Firefighters would only be recalled from a strike if there was a "major incident", he added.Firefighters would only be recalled from a strike if there was a "major incident", he added.
But a fire service spokesman said they had tried to "mobilise striking staff from Welwyn Garden City".
Members of the FBU held a seven-hour strike over a row about pensions.Members of the FBU held a seven-hour strike over a row about pensions.
General Secretary Matt Wrack said the union would "work to uncover all the circumstances".General Secretary Matt Wrack said the union would "work to uncover all the circumstances".
"[The fire service and government] have given strong assurances that robust alternative contingency arrangements were in place," he said."[The fire service and government] have given strong assurances that robust alternative contingency arrangements were in place," he said.
The victim was taken to Whitechapel Hospital but later died.The victim was taken to Whitechapel Hospital but later died.
Hertfordshire Police said it was investigating the cause with specialist fire investigators but no-one was being sought in connection with the fire "at this stage".Hertfordshire Police said it was investigating the cause with specialist fire investigators but no-one was being sought in connection with the fire "at this stage".