Plaque at Hereford Cathedral to remember firefighters killed in 'Sun Valley' tragedy
1993 fire was one of the biggest the city has ever seen
Last updated 13th May 2023
A service will be held at Hereford Cathedral later to remember the victims of the 'Sun Valley' tragedy, one of the worst fires the city has ever seen.
Fire fighters David Morris and John Davies were killed trying to tackle the blaze that broke out at a factory in 1993, causing a ceiling collapse.
On the 30th anniversary of the disaster, a plaque is set to be unveiled in the Cathedral gardens as a permanent tribute.
John Davies, who was 34, was a retained Firefighter from Leominster but as he worked in Hereford, would often attend emergencies in the city.
35-year-old David Morris was a fulltime Firefighter with 11 years’ service.
At its height, 130 Firefighters tackled the factory fire which started in a unit for defrosting meat.
Insulation panels in the ceiling meant smoke and flames travelled unnoticed through the roof space, setting fire to ceilings which collapsed.
Previously, a Red Plaque was placed at the Queenswood Country Park, Dinmore, in July 2021 - located halfway between the two Firefighters’ hometowns of Hereford and Leominster - which pays tribute to the two men who ‘gave their lives in the line of duty’.
A further permanent tribute of a lead plaque has now been erected in the Lady Arbour Garden on the walls of Hereford Cathedral.
Students from Hereford’s NMiTE University worked alongside the lead craftsmen on the project to create the tribute, designed by Hereford Firefighters.
Later, the Dean of Hereford The Reverend Canon Sarah Brown will lead a memorial and dedication service at Hereford Cathedral at 5.30pm and unveil the lead plaque.
In attendance will be dignitaries including His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire and the High Sherriff of Herefordshire, alongside the Chief Fire Officer and members of Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority.