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Firefighter Daniel retires after 31 years
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| Daniel Moorhouse at the Bradford headquarters |
During a career lasting more than three decades, firefighter Daniel Moorhouse has tackled some of Bradford's biggest blazes.
The 50-year-old, who has just retired from the brigade, built up a reputation as an "enthusiastic" fireman who went the extra mile to help colleagues during his 31 years at Bradford fire station.
Mr Moorhouse said he had enjoyed the "adrenaline rush" of the job since the moment he tackled his first major blaze, the fire which destroyed much of Bradford's John Street Market in the winter of 1977.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Robin Owens, took the opportunity to thank Mr Moorhouse for his service to the city during a surprise retirement party, arranged by colleagues at the fire station.
Mr Moorhouse said: "I've enjoyed every minute of it. I joined when I was 19 and have made some life-long friends.
"My first major job was at John Street Market in November 1977 when it burnt down. As we were driving through town you could see the glow from where it was alight.
"I have been to umpteen large fires, but the most traumatic ones are often the smaller ones - the ones where someone dies. It's the nature of the job, but you never get used to it. It still hurts, but you learn to cope better.
"The ones where you save a factory also stick in the mind. You can't put a price on the number of jobs you have saved. We have rescued people out of house fires and saved various lives and you get a real buzz when that happens. You can't describe the job satisfaction."
Mr Moorhouse was also involved in the aftermath of the Valley Parade fire in 1985.
He said: "We weren't on duty at the time, but we were involved for quite a few days afterwards. The loss of life meant it was a large traumatic incident."
Last April, Mr Moorhouse was part of a 100-strong team of firefighters scrambled to tackle what was described as the biggest fire in Bradford for a decade.
The intense blaze, which destroyed almost an entire block of buildings facing onto Sunbridge Road could not be fully extinguished for three days.
Mr Moorhouse said: "That was a big one and very difficult to tackle because there were acetylene cylinders in the building, which you have to treat like an unexploded bomb."
Over the last 15 years, Mr Moorhouse has become an instructor and examiner for the brigade, making sure firemen have the ability to safely operate the special aerial appliance.
Martin Day, station manager at Bradford fire station, said: "It's unusual these days for one fireman to stay at the same fire station all his career.
"He is as enthusiastic and passionate about the job today as when he started, and that has spread to the young kids on the watch because he goes that extra mile.
"To get people interested in learning about the aerial appliance, he produced a quiz in the style of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, where people had to answer questions about the appliance."
Councillor Robin Owens, Lord Mayor of Bradford, said: "For a guy to stick in one job for 31 years is some going. He must have a wealth of memories from a career helping the people of Bradford. Bradford has a lot to be grateful for."
email: will.kilner
@bradford.newsquest.co.uk
3:00am Thursday 17th January 2008
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