FAMILY and colleagues of the two firefighters who died in a tower block blaze came together last week to pay tribute to the men. Jeff Wornham, 28, and Michael Miller, 26, died when attempting to rescue resident Natalie Close, who also died, from Harrow Co

FAMILY and colleagues of the two firefighters who died in a tower block blaze came together last week to pay tribute to the men.

Jeff Wornham, 28, and Michael Miller, 26, died when attempting to rescue resident Natalie Close, who also died, from Harrow Court in Stevenage.

The private service was held on Thursday afternoon, exactly a year after the fatal fire, at Stevenage Fire Station.

The Rev John Potipher, former assistant chief fire officer, gave a service and at 3pm a two-minute silence was observed throughout Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue service.

Before the silence an old fire bell, which was originally bought by the people of Stevenage in 1886 to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, was sounded.

The bell has been restored by Stevenage firefighters and has been dedicated to the two heroes.

Station commander Dave Stokes said: "The memorial service was very moving. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. They were two very brave lads."

Talking about the past year he said: "There have been ups and downs. Time is a great healer. We will never forget the two boys but the job goes on. It has not been easy. We work in a big team and we look out for each other. It has helped that we have to get on with the job.