Harcombe House, the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund's therapy centre at Chudleigh for injured firefighters, remembered the victims of the 7/7 atrocities in London on Friday.
All at Harcombe House stood in silence for two minutes to honour the 52 victims and the brave men and women of the London Fire Service who saved many lives that day a year ago. Centre manager Clare Boyes said: 'We represent the UK Fire Services and so we stood still to pay our respects to those who lost their lives to the horrific attacks. 'We also remember the brave firefighters who didn't think twice about risking their own lives by running into the underground to save the public, and ended up saving many who otherwise would have died.' Harcombe House has treated many of those suffering from the 7/7 attacks. 'One firefighter had continual nightmares due to the intense horror of the mutilated bodies in the devastated train wreck,' said Ms Boyes. 'Another picked up a leg injury when a piece of carriage fell on him.' Ms Boyes is currently fighting a speedway stadium planning application which, she believes, will shatter the peace essential for Harcombe House. 'This site was chosen 20 years ago because we were able to take injured firefighters out of their natural environment and give them a wonderful, peaceful facility where they can recover in the quickest way. 'This is why we have the best fire service in the world, and why we will not allow the building of a noise-polluting speedway stadium under a mile away.' Chudleigh Town Council voted this month to back the speedway planning application, which it is hoped to be developed on part of Exeter Race Course. The application will now go to Teignbridge Council for a final decision.