A FIREFIGHTER who has served the people of Gwent for decades, inspired by his father, is retiring this month.

Mick Flanagan, head of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s fire investigation team, officially retires on February 29 after 34 years in the job.

For Mr Flanagan, originally from Colwyn Bay, there was no question about what he wanted to do for a living when he was growing up.

His father, Terry, 72, was a fireman and finished his career as deputy chief fire officer.

The family had a bell in the house which would sound when the engines were being called out.

“My brother and I would ride on our bikes down the hill to the main road and wait and wave as the fireengines drove past. I saw that and thought, ‘I’ve got to do that’.”

Mr Flanagan, 50, joined the Manchester Fire Service as a 16- year-old cadet and stayed there for ten years before moving to join the Mid Glamorgan Fire Service, then a sister brigade of the Gwent service.

Following a three-and-a-half year stint as a fire instructor at the Fire Service College in Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire, Mr Flanagan rejoined South Wales Fire and Rescue Service in his current role in 2000.

He led the fire investigation in high-profile cases including the Marlborough Road blaze five years ago and the recent Nikitta Grender murder investigation.

His worst day came in May 2004, when he investigated a fire in a disused bingo hall in Ely, Cardiff, which killed firefighter Richard Jenkins, 28, from Bryntirion, Bridgend, when a gas canister exploded while he was tackling a deliberately set fire.

Mr Flanagan, whose last working day was on Friday, starts a job as a fire investigator for a private company on April 1. He will be replaced by Chris Hadfield.

He said: “I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie and the closeness with the people I’ve worked with. [On Friday] I’ll have a stiff upper lip but honestly, my heart will be breaking because I’m leaving a fantastic career.”

Mr Flanagan added: “I’m sure my dad will be very pleased I got through my service without getting the sack!”