Final call-out for Halesowen firefighters

Firefighters paraded outside Halesowen Fire Station as they bid the building a fond farewell before it closed its doors for the final time.

Dozens of townsfolk and relatives of the crews gathered just as Green Watch finished the last shift at the station yesterday.

The Hagley Road station has closed after West Midlands Fire Service decided to merge operations with Cradley Heath.

The fire crew, dressed in full uniform, marched onto the parade square outside the building after the shift finished at 8am. Crews from Cradley Heath also arrived to salute their colleagues as they marched in single file to stand in front of their fire engine at the main entrance.

A lone bagpipe player played a lament as the firefighters symbolically lowered the station's Union Flag to mark the occasion.

It is hoped the flag will be flown over a new station to be built to serve both Halesowen and Cradley Heath. Residents, councillors and Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris also attended the service.