‘LIFE-SAVING’ sprinklers could be fitted at a tower block five years after a blaze which claimed the life of a heroic Poole firefighter.

Jim Shears and colleague Alan Bannon died in the fire at Shirley Towers in Southampton in 2010 after being overcome by excessive heat after getting trapped by falling cables.

The proposal has been welcomed by the families of the two men, who have called on councils across the country to follow suit.

Retro fitting sprinklers was one of the key recommendations made by the coroner who looked into the tragedy.

Coroner Keith Wiseman recorded a verdict of death by misadventure, and set out a string of recommendations for how fire services and housing providers should respond to the tragedy.

Mr Shears' father, Ed Shears, said: “If the sprinklers had been in operation five years ago they wouldn't have died, it's as simple as that.

“What we want is for that not to happen to any more firefighters, and for no more families to go through this.

“But we don't just want this done in Hampshire - we want this done all around the country.”

One of those recommendations has now become law with new regulations meaning all new wiring systems must use metal rather than plastic to keep cables in place in escape routes.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue's area manager Jason Avery said: “Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service fully supports the council in the installation of sprinklers, we have worked closely with them providing professional advice in the scoping study of this project.

“The additional protection offered by sprinklers will improve both resident and firefighter safety.”