Fire (TV series)

"Fire" is an Australian television series transmitted on the Seven Network between 1995 and 1996. It was shown in the UK & Ireland on Sky One. In 1999 and 2000, the series was shown on Channel 5.

The series explored the lives of a platoon of firefighters. The leading cast members included: Andy Anderson, Georgie Parker, Peter Phelps, Shane Connor, Deborra-Lee Furness, Danny Adcock, Wayne Pygram, Tottie Goldsmith, Liddy Clark, Aaron Jeffery, Tayler Kane and Max Phipps.

Season 1 plot details

The series starts with new female recruit Morgan Cartwright (Georgie Parker) joining the ranks of South East Fire station in Brisbane. Morgan has to face prejudices in the male dominated profession, mainly from the icy platoon sergeant "Spit". Other characters include The Boss (Peter Phelps), Grievous, Banjo (Aaron Jeffrey), Dinosaur, Repo (Andy Anderson) and Giraffe.

The local arson squad also play a very prominent part from the beginning of season 1. Detective Sergeant Jean Diamond (Liddy Clark) has been investigating a series of fires for over a year, which she believes to actually be the work of a firefighter. Knowing that Morgan has just joined South East, Jean approaches Morgan and puts her theory to her. She asks that Morgan will be her "eyes and ears" in the fire station. This makes life complicated for Morgan.

Ultimately, Detective Diamond's theory is proved correct. It is revealed that one of the firefighters from South East has been lighting fires.

Season 1 was made with the cooperation of the Queensland Fire Service and their appliances were used during filming as well as their logos. The two main appliances used at South East were an International ACCO Teleboom and a Firepac appliance.

Season 2 plot details

Season 2 was centred around a different fire station. However, three fire fighters from the original series were retained and joined by new characters at West End fire station. After the death of Repos (Andy Anderson) father he decides to apply for the rank of Station Officer at West End. He gains the promotion much to the disgust of Spit (Wayne Pygram) the Senior Station Officer. After some events that take place at fire scenes Repo decides that he would be happier just being a firefighter. He steps down from the position of Station Officer and this vacancy is taken by Seldom (Damian Pike) who has recently passed his tests.Meanwhile Tex (Tottie Goldsmith) finds out that she is pregnant and is confused as to what to do. She talks to Delores (Deborah Lee-Furness) and her Doctor and decides to terminate.The station is a mix of various characters. Like the womanising Grievious (Taylor Kane) who loves to fight fires and finds out that he has a son from the turkey baster incident in season 1. Nugget (Danny Adcock) the veteran who just likes to get on with the job. Mary (Damian Rice) the Army wannabe who loves regiment and discipline and looks up to Spit. Not forgetting TNT (Robert Morgan) the union rep at the station who seems to always look on the negative side of everything.

Seldom gets into disciplinary trouble with spit when his vendetta against James Runyan(Kym Gyngell) becomes far more than job related. After TNT makes some disparaging remarks towards the commisioner he finds himself transferred to the bush. His replacement is Greta(Garbo)Fazio (Fiona McGregor) who just happens to be Grievous`s cousin. She is a bit of a daredevil and takes a little while to settle in. She becomes involved in a sexual harassment case with Nugget which ultimately ends in tragedy.

EpisodesDown the BarrelThe AccidentThe ResponsibilityThe Big BangVendetta Pt 1Vendetta Pt 2Vendetta Pt 3Vendetta Pt 4Vendetta Pt 5War of the Worlds Pt 1War of the Worlds Pt 2War of the Worlds Pt 3War of the Worlds Pt 4

Season 2 was made without the support of the Queensland Fire Service. The made up name of Queensland Fire Brigade was used during this season with a different logo. Appliances used were purchased/loaned to make the show. The two main appliances used at West End were an International ACCO Pumper and a RFW Wormald Simon Snorkel appliance.

Both Season 1 and 2 were released on DVD as separate Box Sets by Beyond DVD/Force Entertainment in Australia.

Characters

:Firefighter Morgan "Mad Dog" Cartwright ~ Georgie Parker:Station Officer Nick "The Boss" Connor ~ Peter Phelps:Firefighter John "Repo" Kennedy ~ Andy Anderson:Firefighter Louis "Grievous" Fazio ~ Tayler Kane:Firefighter David "Giraffe" Simpson ~ Shane Feeney-Connor:Firefighter Richard "Banjo" Gates ~ Aaron Jeffery:Firefighter Edward "Dinosaur" Spence ~ Max Phipps:Senior Station Officer Quentin "Spit" Jacobsen ~ Wayne Pygram:Dolores Kennedy ~ Deborra-Lee Furness:Detective Sergeant Jean Diamond ~ Liddy Clark

External links

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* [http://colsearch.nfsa.afc.gov.au/nfsa/search/display/display.w3p;adv=yes;group=;groupequals=;holdingType=;page=0;parentid=;query=283172;querytype=;rec=0;resCount=10 Fire at the National Film and Sound Archive]