FIREFIGHTERS will unveil a memorial to two fallen comrades today on the 60th anniversary of the Smithfield fire tragedy.

The 1958 blaze in the basement of the famous London market led to the deaths of firefighters Jack Fourt-Wells and Richard Stocking.

Fire Brigades Union (FBU) general secretary Matt Wrack will lay a wreath at the site and a memorial red plaque will be unveiled in honour of the pair.

Both died after running out of air while tackling a blaze. The incident led to improvements in health and safety for firefighters, including modernising breathing apparatus.

Mr Wrack said: “The legacy of Smithfield, like so many other big fires, was a significant improvement to fire safety and firefighting equipment and procedures.

“Today, it has taken the atrocity of the Grenfell Tower fire to highlight issues such as the importance of independent, robust fire-safety checks and stringent building regulations.”

One of the original fire engines that responded to the fire will attend the ceremony.

The FBU’s red plaque scheme has been launched to mark the union’s centenary this year.