The girlfriend of brave Westcliff firefighter Adam Meere sent him a good luck text message as he battled his first blaze since starting his dream job.
But Natalie Day never got a response because Adam was killed when the floor gave way at the three storey building in Bethnal Green on July 20.
She said: "It was his dream job.
"That evening was his first fire. I saw it on the news and was really excited for him. I even texted him to say I bet you're loving the fire."
Natalie, 23, from Westcliff, went into work on July 21 but began to worry when she couldn't reach Adam. She called the fire station and was told the tragic news.
She said: "I was just hysterical. I was in such shock."
Natalie was collected, taken to her parents and then to the station where a counsellor was waiting and she was told the details of the incident.
She said: "It still hasn't really sunk in."
Published Monday August 9, 2004
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