A WOMAN whose three children died in a horrific fire 18 years ago has hit out at possible fire strikes. Ann Vincent, of Jessop Road in Stevenage, told The Comet she supports firefighters and would be forever grateful to them for saving her life from a fi

A WOMAN whose three children died in a horrific fire 18 years ago has hit out at possible fire strikes.

Ann Vincent, of Jessop Road in Stevenage, told The Comet she supports firefighters and would be forever grateful to them for saving her life from a fire at her former home in Ripon Road.

But she said she was concerned that a planned strike could leave residents without fire cover.

Last week we reported the announcements of two strikes, one on Monday, which was cancelled, and one this Saturday which is expected to go ahead.

If it does it will mean Hertfordshire is left without full fire coverage that day from 2pm until 10pm.

Mrs Vincent lost her three children Craig, six, Christopher, four, and Samantha, three, when a sofa caught fire in 1988.

She said: "I feel for the firefighters. They do a fantastic job. It is a thankless job where they risk their lives every time they go into a burning building.

"I agree with what they are doing but we pay them to do a job and they should get on and do it.

"They saved my life but I feel it is wrong for them to strike and leave such a big area with no fire coverage. You never know when you will need them.

"The Government should not be closing fire stations or cutting jobs. We should be praising our firefighters and paying them a decent wage.