A CEREMONY will mark the 50th anniversary of a tragic fire which claimed the lives of two Kidderminster firefighters.

Staff at Wyre Forest Fire Station will remember the Hurcott Paper Mill Fire in 1974 with a short ceremony in memory of watch manager Bob Crampin and firefighter Keith Marshall.

The ceremony, which is being led by service Chaplain Reverend Dick Johnson, will take place at around 5.50pm on Friday, March 8, at the exact time of the fire 50 years ago.

The service's senior leadership board will be represented at the event along with local members of the National Association of Retired Firefighters, some of which served with Bob and Keith at the old Castle Road Station.

A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) said: "The flag at Wyre Forest Fire Station will fly at half-mast and fire stations across the two counties have been invited to hold a minute's silence.

"Surviving members of Bob and Keith's families have also been invited."

A GoFundMe has also been set up by firefighters Neil Bennett and Bob Sproat to raise money for a memorial stone at the site of the tragedy.

The service has already secured an FBU Red Plaque to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of Bob and Keith but needs £4000 to fund a suitable stone to put it on and to cover installation costs.

The fire service added: "A memorial close to the site of Hurcott paper mill would provide a focal point for relatives, friends, colleagues and members of the public to pay their respects and remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice."

To donate visit https://gofund.me/3cfb5c1b