Firefighter retires in blaze of glory

10:29am Saturday 17th May 2008

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A FIREFIGHTER with a "heart of gold", who has helped keep the residents of north Hampshire safe for the past 30 years, has retired.

Watch manager Tony Evans has hung up his gear for the final time and said farewell to his colleagues and friends at Basingstoke fire station.

Mr Evans, of Violet Close, Kempshott, has been working for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service since 1979 when he joined the Basingstoke crew.

He has worked in White Watch, Green Watch and Red Watch at Basingstoke and also at Rushmoor fire station, but finished his firefighting days as manager of White Watch in Basingstoke.

Mr Evans, who turned 50 last Friday, said: "It's time to close one chapter and start a new one. I have given my life over to firefighting and enjoyed every minute of it, but it's time for a change."

He said there have been many memorable moments as a firefighter, and one that sticks in his mind is the fire at the Mercantile Credit building in Basingstoke in 1991.

The blaze took hold of the 17-storey building and it took fire crews more than four hours to get under control.

"You never know what your day is going to bring and that was a prime example," he explained.

Mr Evans, who also runs Chariots of Fire - a fire engine limousine company - worked as a station manager for spells in Winchester and Gosport.

He said he was very sad to be leaving the service as it was like a family unit.

"We're like a band of brothers here. When you become a firefighter, certainly in my day it was a vocation, not just a job," he said.

The father-of-two said he is going to be enjoying his retirement with his wife Tracy, whom he described as his "rock", and is also looking forward to pursuing property renovation projects in his spare time.

"I want to thank all my family and colleagues for all their support and friendship over the years," he added.

Mr Evans was given a memorable send-off with a special party organised by his team at Basingstoke.

Ryan Thurman, station manager, said: "Tony has been with us a long time and he is still full of enthusiasm for his work. He's been a great firefighter and is just a lovely bloke.

"He's got a heart of gold and will go out of his way to help people, which is what being in the fire service is all about. He will be a hard act to follow."