I WOULD like to express my admiration of the fire-fighters who attended the fire at my neighbours properties in Barkway on October 10. The professionalism of these men and women was second to none, not only did they carry out the dangerous job of putting

I WOULD like to express my admiration of the fire-fighters who attended the fire at my neighbours' properties in Barkway on October 10.

The professionalism of these men and women was second to none, not only did they carry out the dangerous job of putting out the fire and ensuring it did not spread, they conducted themselves superbly.

Although they obviously encounter these situations regularly they dealt with the families and villagers of Barkway with the gravitates the dreadful event deserved.

They knew and showed they were dealing with peoples' homes and lives. I and everyone I have spoken to never heard one swear world or expression of frustration by them.

The fire-fighters didn't just put out a fire, they reassured adults and children alike, took time out to include the very young children, they paperwork to deal with and questions to ask of traumatised people, all of this was done with an empathy you rarely see theses days.

They protected property - moved it and covered it, there was a steady stream of fire-fighters coming to my neighbours with photographs and other personal effects they had found in the wreckage.

It is to my shame and regret that I did not realise that Royston Fire Station was under threat of closure until recently, and I had not signed a petition, written to my MP or bothered myself to do anything about it.

The men and women from all over Herts who attended the fire deserve more support from us the public, who they serve. We must be aware of the pressures they are under on our behalf.

As I say the service on that night was superb, but we shouldn't really be having to save fire stations. We should be giving more resources to them and the fire-fighters I met who went home to get just one hour's sleep before coming back the next day.

Let's not crush these men and woman by pressurising them with more cuts, also they should not have to spend their own time trying to save a fire service on our behalf. At least we, the public, can do that bit in future.

MARK BROWN

High Street

Barkway