FORMER Burnley fire chief Leslie Thomas died yesterday after collapsing at home with a suspected heart attack.

Mr Thomas, 73, was head of Burnley fire service for four years before being appointed assistant chief officer for Lancashire County Fire Brigade after local government reorganisation. He retired in 1976.

Five years ago, Mr Thomas, of Lindsay Park, Burnley, suffered a heart attack while watching Everton play Liverpool at Goodison Park.

Earlier this year he had to cut short a holiday in America and Canada when he had another heart attack.

He leaves his wife, Doris and three children, Glyn, a firefighter at Burnley, Neil, a lecturer at Nelson and Colne College, and Joy, manageress at Going Places, in Burnley.

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