After 36 years in service, watch commander of Stradbroke fire station, Chris Clancy, retires

A man who has dedicated more than half his life to the fire service is retiring.

Chris Clancy joined Stradbroke fire service 36 years ago, at the tender age of 24.

Now he is retiring after running the station as watch commander for the past 20 years.

The highlights of his career include rescuing a giant African tortoise and attending his first fire at Heveningham Hall in the 1980s.

The 60-year-old father-of-two said: “That was a dangerous fire. The whole of the east wing burned and collapsed, leaving almost £3.4 million of damage.

“It was the first time I ever saw the dancing angels, which is what we call the flames that flicker across the ceiling and come past you.

“The paint on the door behind me was blistering, and it was a very exciting fire to be involved in.”

Over the years, Chris and his team have saved nearly 100 people in life-threatening conditions, most of whom were involved in road accidents. Sometimes, people are beyond rescue.

“The difficult part is going home and removing yourself from the situation,” he said. “Sometimes you can, sometimes you can’t.

“The fire service offers counselling and we talk between ourselves to cope with what the job throws at us.”

His son Paul decided to follow into his father’s footsteps when he turned 23 and served as a firefighter under Chris for 18 years, before he had to stop due to work commitments.

Chris said: “The most worrying job I ever had was the first fire that I sent my son into. That was a moment of terror for me, but he coped very well.”

Fortunately, Chris has never been seriously injured, although there have been frightening moments.

“We once attended a fire and were walking down the corridor, checking the floor, when it gave way. As I was falling through, my partner, Andy Richards, grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and dragged me up. He has got big hands and that day I was glad about that,” recalled Chris.

“I’ll miss the lads. They are the best people to work with; all enthusiastic and give 100 per cent. They are like family. I am no hero, I do a job I am passionate about and all of us try to make a difference.”

His colleague Chris Askew said: “Chris and his enthusiasm will be a big loss to the service.

“We will miss him.”