MORE than 500 people attended the funeral of hero firefighter Jim Shears, who tragically died while tackling a fierce tower block blaze.

The dad of two, from Oakdale, Poole, was one of two Hampshire firefighters killed in the Southampton inferno earlier this month.

At Oakdale’s St George Church on Friday, family, friends, colleagues, civic leaders and members of the public gathered to pay tribute to a man who died while saving the lives of others.

Uniformed Dorset and Hampshire firefighters stood to attention as the funeral procession passed.

At the church, as the fallen firefighter’s coffin was carried inside, past an honour guard, the silence was only broken by the sound of distant emergency service sirens, a poignant reminder of how the 35-year-old lived and died.

Paying tribute to James and Alan Bannon, the other firefighter killed on the night of April 6, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service chief John Bonney said: “James went in with courage and a steely commitment to do his best, and he did just that – because those cries for help were sincere and necessary.

“Over 40 people were rescued that night because of James and Alan and others who fought that fire.

“They brought precious time and safety for the rescuers, for those who also had a job to do leading frightened, helpless people away from the danger. But in buying that time, Jim, together with Alan, paid a terrible price.

“And the grief we now fell is testament to the love, honour and respect we have, not just for what Jim did, but – more importantly – for what he was as a husband, a father, a son and a colleague.

“We should lift our heads and dry our tears and be proud, just as James was of his job.”

Among the mourners was James’ widow Carla, their two children, Frankie, aged five, and Ruben, aged four, James’ father Ed, mum Marilyn and his brothers Gary, Steven and Chas.

His brother Gary, voice cracking with emotion, said: “Jim was the best role model a young brother could have. It’s true Jim, you were simply the best.”

The church and adjoining hall were so packed out, crowds gathered outside to hear the service piped through loudspeakers.

Many of them hugged one another for comfort.

But the funeral was as much a celebration of James’ life, rather than a sombre occasion.

At the end of the service James’s son Ruben released two bunches of balloons.

James’ colleague Richard Sawdon told the service: “Jim will never leave Red watch and Red watch will always be there to tell Frankie and Ruben what a brave hero their dad was.

“When I look at Frankie and Ruben I can see Jim’s sparkling eyes and I know that the same spirit Jim had lives on in them.”