AFTER 18 years on the job, a volunteer Halstead firefighter is set to hang up his hose pipe.

Daniel Cook, of Tidings Hill, never thought he would still be volunteering in 2017 after responding to an appeal for on call firefighters before the turn of the century.

But the 52-year-old has no regrets, admitting he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at Halstead Fire Station.

Daniel said: “It all seems to have gone so quickly, I didn’t actually realise how long it had been.

“I saw and advert in the Halstead Gazette saying the fire station were for local people who could drop anything to come in and help, and that suited me down to a tee. You never know what’s coming when that buzzer goes, it could be anything from a minor car crash, to a huge fire.

“I think that’s where some of the excitement comes from, not knowing where you’re going until you get to the station.

Daniel spent five years in the Royal Navy in the Eighties, and believes the fire service was a natural transition due to the principles and values.

Since signing up to work nights and weekends, Daniel has been to many of the major incidents in the area in recent history.

He added: “I really have been to everything. From pulling animals out of rivers and minor chimney fires, to some of the biggest fires the area has seen in recent history.

“More recently, I was at the fire on Halstead High Street last year, as well as the one at Earls Colne Airfield, and going a bit further back I helped to fight the Broton Industrial Estate fire about 10 years ago.”

As well as battling some pretty major fires, Daniel rose to national acclaim when he appeared in The Sun 10 years ago.

Daniel appeared on the Gazette’s front page, before his story was picked up by The Sun, after accidentally picking up his wife’s dress as he dashed out on call.

He said: “It is a surprisingly easy mistake to make. Being on call, I always had a pile of clothes by the bed I would quickly grab in the night, although on this occasion my wife’s dress was in there.

“Once I got down to the station the boys had me put it on, and then I was on the front page of the Gazette and in the Sun.”

And the builder by trade is honoured to have spent 18 years serving his community.

He added: “I have been able to serve the community on a daily basis, I have been able to help people.

“You know everyday that you’ve done your best a tried to give something back. I will be sad to go, but age is catching up with me a little.

“I’ve had a good career and have no regrets at all.”