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BBC local news reporting an IET unit will be named after the fire fighter Flo Lombard who lost her life in tackling a fire in 1996


Note edit to adjust title WP.

I believe you will find her Christian name was Fleur.

Yes, Fleur Lombard. The first female firefighter to die on duty in peacetime Britain.

She died fighting a deliberately started fire at the Co-op Leo's supermarket in Staple Hill, Bristol, on 4th February 1996.

In depth report of the fire and a link to the Avon Fire Brigade (as was) investigation, from the Institution of Fire Engineers:  https://www.ife.org.uk/Firefighter-Safety-Incidents/leos-supermarket-1996/34545

Another fitting tribute to a 'Great Western Hero' by GWR.

The IET naming ceremony honouring Fleur Lombard takes place tomorrow at Bristol Temple Meads around 10-10.30am.

Radio Bristol will be talking to those involved in the naming before 09:00am on Wednesday morning.
BBC1 local news at 13:30pm and ITV West at 13:55pm might have some film footage.

Fire and Rescue Services from across the country were on platform 10 at Bristol Temple Meads this morning to see the latest in GWR’s 100 Great Westerners IET namings.

Fleur Lombard became the first female firefighter to die on duty in peacetime when she was caught in a blaze in Bristol in 1996 aged 21.  She was part of Blue Watch at Speedwell Fire Station when they were called to a supermarket which had been set on fire deliberately.

Her name is now carried on 800 023 after being unveiled by members of her family and the fire service.

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/fleurname.jpg)

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/fleurgd.jpg)

The other end of the train was named last month after Kathryn Osmond. She was a Bristol based paramedic who died two years ago from cancer at the age of 41.

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/osmond.jpg)

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/fleurfin.jpg)

Fleur Lombard QGM 1974-1996

There will be many who are unfamiliar with the story of Fleur Lombard, but although I had no direct connection with any of the parties involved, I recall the events well. She died in February 1996, fighting a fire in what was then Leo's supermarket in Staple Hill. The fire had been started deliberately by Martin Cody, who had started work at the supermarket as a security guard that same morning. He was described in court as a fantasist, and was jailed for 7½ years for arson and manslaughter. Fleur was one of only 8 women firefighters out of a total of over 700 in Avon and Somerset at the time. After the hearing, her parents said that Cody should not have been imprisoned, but given psychiatric treatment instead.

It was all so sad and so very pointless, that someone who had chosen to work in public service to protect lives and property should die in such a way. Her gender had no bearing on the outcome - she was capable of the job, and a male firefighter in the same situation would probably have met the same end. Two of her colleagues, including one who was hurt in the explosion and "flashover" that killed Fleur, were decorated for returning to the fire to try to save her.

It won't bring her back, but the tribute is deserved, and shows that the bravery of a firefighter has not been forgotten.