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Award-winning fire dog dies after 11-year service

Herts Fire & Rescue Black labrador Reqs resting on the front of a fire engine while lying on a hi-vis jacket. He is wearing a light brown jacket over his body and has a medal with a blue ribbon around his neck.Herts Fire & Rescue
Reqs was awarded the animal equivalent of an OBE for his service last November

A labrador believed to have been one of Britain's longest serving fire investigation dogs has died aged 12.

Reqs attended 500 fires since 2012 and retired from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service last July.

The fire investigation dog was later awarded a PDSA Order of Merit, also known as an animal's OBE, for his service.

Watch Cdr Nikki Harvey, who was also Reqs's handler, said: "His achievements over the course of his career show just what a remarkable dog he was, and I feel privileged that I got to share his life."

During his 11-year service, Reqs would help to sniff out the presence of flammable liquids, such as petrol or lighter fluid.

He attended incidents across England, even finding a pet dog buried in the rubble after a house explosion in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

Herts Fire & Rescue Reqs being walked on the lead by a person wearing a white protective suit, with a helmet. They are walking over rubble at the scene of a house explosion. The rubble, consisting mostly of brick and wood, is in the garden of the property.Herts Fire & Rescue
Reqs saved the life of another dog while working at the scene of a house explosion in Clacton-on-Sea

The fire service said Reqs died on Thursday and would be remembered as a "dedicated and hard-working" member of the team.

Deputy chief fire officer Mark Barber said the black labrador's work would have helped secure criminal convictions.

"Today we are paying tribute to a valued colleague, and we send our heartfelt condolences to his handler Nikki Harvey."

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