Firefighter misses his retirement party to rescue calves

A firefighter whose retirement party was put on hold as he helped rescue 28 calves from a slurry tank has said it was "no bother at all".

Colleagues of Commander John Holmes were planning to toast his retirement from Newcastle fire station in County Down, after 42 years of service.

But at about 17:30 BST on Monday officers received a call to 28 calves trapped in a slurry tank near Cullyhanna, County Armagh.

Mr Holmes insisted on attending.

It meant he missed the barbecue organised at Newcastle Fire Station, where he was due to receive a certificate.

"I didn't hesitate to go to the incident - it was no bother at all," he told BBC News NI.

"I love animals and I wanted to help them - we have helped rescue hundreds of animals over the years.

"I was on call and was not to be finished until midnight that night.

"I went down into the slurry tank with two others to get the final 10 calves.

"We were wearing the right overalls and breathing apparatus - the fumes would have killed you otherwise. My colleagues were shocked to see me."

Rescuing the calves was not the final task for Commander Holmes.

"I got another call at 20 past 11 that night in Newcastle," he said.

"A faulty smoke alarm went off - I still had to turn out just in case - and I left my shift at half past midnight."

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said Commander Holmes' rescue mission in Cullyhanna was "testament to his 42 years of dedicated service".

"John took charge of the animal rescue team, playing a central hands-on role in the safe and successful rescue of every one of the 28 calves," said NIFRS, on social media.

Commander Holmes hailed the camaraderie forged over four decades as a firefighter and recalled being honoured for saving a man's life, in tandem with his brother, following a chip pan fire.

"In 1988, I received a chief fire officer's commendation for live rescue - both myself and my brother Derek saved a man's life without having breathing apparatus," Commander Holmes added.

"The man was lying over a coffee table after a chip pan fire, he had gone to sleep.

"He is still alive today."

Commander Holmes added: "I love the job, it is about helping people in the local community.

"You give up a lot to do the job, it is an inner pride."

The retirement presentation for Commander Holmes has now been rescheduled.

"I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife, she was part of it too," he said.

"Next Monday, we will have the leaving barbecue again - providing there are no fire calls."