Smethwick inferno photo wins award for firefighter
It captured the battle firefighters had on their hands when a West Midlands recycling plant caught fire.
Now the firefighter who took this picture of the Midlands biggest ever fire which happened in Smethwick has been honoured with a prestigious award.
Crew commander and volunteer photographer John McNaughton from West Midlands Fire Service has been awarded the Trade Union Communications Award for best photograph or illustration.
His image of the blaze at the Jayplas Recycling Plant has been printed across the globe.
Mr McNaughton, 60, from Pheasey in Great Barr has been with the fire service for 36 years and said: "I have never seen a fire like it in my career. I hoped it would make a good image to show what we do but I didn't expect this.
"Like the old saying, every picture tells a story and this picture really portrays what they were battling against. I am very pleased."
Mr McNaughton's picture was one of 14 shortlisted from hundreds of entrants but a panel of five judges awarded it the top spot.
The judges said: "A simple yet powerful photograph of firefighters amid a sea of heat and flame, which vividly conveys the challenges and danger faced by firefighters at work."
Neil Spencer, spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "John is one of our volunteer photographers and does some great work to help illustrate the often challenging aspects of our work. His picture became synonymous of the Smethwick fire and his award is very well deserved."
The fire happened on June 30 last year.
More than 200 fire fighters and 35 engines attended the blaze when a single Chinese lantern caused more than 100,000 bales of plastic to go up in flames. Smoke could be seen 60 miles away and the firm was closed for more six months following the devastating fire which caused £6 million damage.
