INVESTIGATIONS are still ongoing into the deaths of two firefighters killed while tackling a tower block blaze nearly a year ago, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Alan Bannon, 38, from Southampton and Jim Shears, 35, from Poole died after being overcome by extreme heat while fighting flames at Shirley Towers. All residents of the 15-storey block - including one heavily pregnant woman were either evacuated or led to safety.

But Hampshire police are still looking into what happened on the night of April 6 last year when the fire started in a seventh floor flat.

No reports have yet been handed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or the coroner.

A spokesman for the Southampton coroner said no date was set for the inquests into the deaths because they were awaiting the files. The CPS confirmed that no paperwork had been received in connection with the inquiry.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: “Our inquiries are still continuing into the tragedy. No further information including what aspects our inquiries cover or when the results are expected will be released at this time.”

It emerged yesterday that a two-minute silence will be held in memory of Alan and Jim, who were members of Red Watch at St Mary's fire station.

Staff across Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service will mark the anniversary of the tragedy by observing the silence at 11am on Wednesday and flying flags at half mast.