TWO firefighters who died while battling a large fire at a food processing factory will be honoured by colleagues.

The fire at the Sun Valley factory in Hereford on September, 6 1993 was one of the biggest the city has ever seen.

At its height, 130 firefighters were at the scene, using 23 pumping appliances.

Two of those battling the flames never made it out of the factory and work is now ongoing to remember Dave Morris and John Davies.

A red plaque, funded by the Fire Brigade Union’s 100 lottery, will be placed at the Queenswood Country Park and pay tribute to the two men who gave their lives in the line of duty.

The public site on Dinmore Hill lies halfway between the two firefighters’ hometowns of Hereford and Leominster.

The woodland, popular with families and walkers, is seen as the perfect location to remember the men.

Mr Davies, who was 34, was a retained firefighter from Leominster but as he worked in Hereford, would often attend emergencies in the city.

Meanwhile, 35-year-old Mr Morris was a fulltime firefighter with 11 years’ service when he responded to the fire which started in a unit for defrosting meat.

Insulation panels in the factory ceiling meant smoke and flames travelled unnoticed through the roof space, setting fire to ceilings which collapsed.

In addition to the circular red plaque, discussions have also taken place between firefighters and the Dean of Hereford, Michael Tavinor, for a permanent tribute at Hereford Cathedral.

A lead memorial plaque will be erected on the walls of the city’s most prominent landmark in the Lady Arbour Garden following a fund-raising appeal.

A figure of about £4,000 is needed to pay for the tribute to the two firefighters at Hereford Cathedral.

Firefighters from Hereford fire station have started fundraising and further initiatives are being planned.

Students from Hereford’s NMiTE university will work alongside lead craftsmen on the project while a dedication service is expected to be held at the Cathedral on May 4, 2020, once the project is complete.

The fund-raising appeal has been started by firefighters in Hereford and has already received donations from the FF100 lottery, retired firefighters and local fundraising initiatives.

Email Adrian12morris@hotmail.com for further information on either of the two tributes or to make a donation to the memorial plaque at Hereford Cathedral visit ‘gofundme memorial for john davies and dave morris’