First Red Plaque in Norfolk honours firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty
Thirty-eight years to the day after Norfolk firefighter Christopher Betts tragically lost his life fighting a blaze at The Chequers pub in Hainford, a Red Plaque has been unveiled at the site in his memory.
The plaque is part of a scheme by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) to recognise those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, his family and Norfolk Fire Museum have worked with the union to have this, the first one in Norfolk, installed.
Firefighter Betts was just 28 when he was called out to the thatch fire with other members of the on-call crew at Wroxham. And it was at about 4am when he was working on the first floor of the building, dampening down the fire that suddenly and without warning, the central chimney stack of the building collapsed, trapping him underneath.
His colleagues immediately began a rescue operation; many working with their bare hands to try and remove the rubble that had fallen on top of him. They managed to free him, and he was given immediate medical treatment, but despite their best efforts, he was sadly pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.
A ceremony was held at the pub today (1st December), 38 years after the tragic incident, attended by Firefighter Betts' family, including his 97-year-old father William (or Billy) who was also a firefighter at Wroxham Fire Station and who unveiled the plaque. His nephew Marek Jeczalik, his former colleagues at Wroxham, representatives from the FBU, Chief Fire Officer of Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service, Ceri Sumner and Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Scott Norman were also in attendance and The Lady Dannatt MBE, Lord Lieutenant for Norfolk also made a speech.
DCFO Norman said: "We will never forget the contribution Firefighter Betts gave to the communities of Norfolk.
"His loss was such a sacrifice and has impacted all at Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service and his family, most notably Billy for many years. I hope Chris is smiling down on us here today, remembering the team he will always be a part of. He is remembered with fondness."
