HAMPSHIRE fire crews who aided a recovery operation in Jersey following the collapse of a block of flats have returned.
Over 20 firefighters and officers were sent to the island to support the recovery efforts after the devastating incident in the early hours of December 10.
Nine bodies were found after the blast ripped through the island’s capital, St Helier.
Following a request for assistance from Jersey Fire and Rescue Service, Hampshire fire organised specialist crews to travel to the island and provide their expertise.
With the response phase of the incident coming to an end over a week on, crews have since returned home.
READ MORE: Hampshire firefighters called in after large explosion in Jersey
Glenn Bowyer, area manager for operations at Hampshire fire said: “Our thoughts go out to all those affected by this tragedy.”
“I would like to commend the work of our teams who have demonstrated their professionalism and expertise to support our Jersey emergency services colleagues during a major incident.
“We worked alongside different partners and agencies every day and night, with this incident highlighting how skilled and effective our teams are when collaborating with others.
“Our teams have proudly exemplified our organisation’s values and behaviours throughout their time in Jersey.
“I also recognise the exceptional work carried out by those teams and individuals that supported the deployment from within HIWFRS, without which the efforts on the ground would not have been possible.”
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All residents have now been accounted for and seven of those who lost their lives have been named as Peter Bowler, 72, Raymond (Raymie) Brown, 71, Romeu and Louise De Almeida, 67 and 64, Derek and Sylvia Ellis, 61 and 73, and 63-year-old Billy Marsden.
The island’s fire service has become the subject of an independent investigation after it emerged that officers were called out to the block of flats on the evening of December 9, just hours before the explosion.
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