BBC News
LONDON — Protesters opposed to the closure of 10 London fire stations have demonstrated outside one of them — the oldest operational fire station in London.
Clerkenwell fire station, dating back to the 1870s, and nine others, were closed earlier in a move by London Fire Brigade (LFB) to save almost $70 million. LFB said changes, including the loss of 552 firefighters, were “inevitable” but the service would not be affected. But the Fire Brigades Union said the cuts would compromise public safety.
Union members, local politicians and residents held the protest at Clerkenwell. Firefighter Alex Badcock, who had worked at the station for 29 years, broke down in tears and said: “It’s a sad, sad day. Boris Johnson [London’s Mayor] doesn’t know what he’s doing.”
Full story: Protest as 10 London fire stations shut down
