Fire service instructor found dead inside station’s training tower in second shock death at the scandal-ridden brigade

A FIRE service instructor has been found dead in the training tower of a station.

Ian Revell was discovered in the early hours of yesterday morning at Oldbury station, West Mids,. in the block used for simulating tower blazes.

Police were called but are not looking for anyone else in connection with the tragedy.

Mr Revell is the second shock death at the scandal-ridden brigade this year after Wayne Brown – the first black fire chief in the UK – was found dead at home in January.

The veteran training coach joined the fire service in 1997 and returned to an instruction role last year after previously retiring.

The brigade did not comment on how he gained entry to the training tower at Oldbury, where he had been based for 26 years.

But the service confirmed it was flying flags at half-mast in tribute to the loss.

A spokesman said: “We are extremely saddened to confirm the death of a retired member of West Midlands Fire Service’s staff at Oldbury fire station in the early hours of Monday 15 July 2024.

“Whilst the circumstances are not being treated as suspicious, we are working closely with West Midlands Police as they establish the full circumstances.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this awful news, including the former staff member’s loved ones and colleagues. We will ensure they have all possible support.

“Flags have been lowered to half-mast across our sites as a mark of respect.”

At the time Mr Brown was found dead at home in Birmingham, on 24 January, he was under investigation for lying about his qualifications to get the £180,000 job.

An inquest into his death opened and was postponed until the trial of a man he accused of harassment.

The defendant, a former firefighter, denies the charge and is seeking to have it thrown out as an abuse of process.

Last month Mr Brown’s deputy, Joanne Bowcock, was also found to have wrongly claimed she had a law degree.

West Mids., Fire Service is undergoing a major shake up with the appointment in March of whistleblowing former marine colonel Oliver Lee as chief executive.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: “We were called to Oldbury fire station on Monday 15 July after a man sadly died.
“His death is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the coroner.

“Our thoughts are with those affected at West Midlands Fire Service, family and loved ones at this sad time.”