Two fire truck drivers singled out as heroes in a report today into the fatal Waikato coolstore fire, do not want their names made public.
The actions of the two firemen at the fatal fire were also praised by Fire Service chief executive Mike Hall, who told NZPA they had asked not to be named.
The April 5 blast and fire at the Icepak Coolstore in Tamahere, on the outskirts of Hamilton, killed senior station officer Derek Lovell and injured seven other firefighters.
The badly hurt fire appliance drivers were credited in the report with behaving in a "highly commendable and quite extraordinary manner" after the massive explosion.
"In spite of having burn injuries, the driver of (appliance) 411 quickly assessed the situation and started to send priority and assistance messages, that followed best practice," the report said.
He also used the fire pump to cool the burns of his injured workmates.
"The driver of 412 was stunned by the explosion and received extensive and serious burns.
"Despite this, for over 20 minutes he instinctively acted to operate the pump, alert rescuers to the advancing fire, collect equipment, and even direct the second alarm appliances.
"After repeated requests from people administering first aid, he allowed himself to be treated and transported to hospital." In his response to the report, Mr Hall hailed the "exemplary performance" of the two men.
They "performed to the highest traditions of the NZFS under extremely adverse conditions," he said.
Mr Hall also praised the actions of people who rushed from a gala at a nearby school, saying some had medical skills that had a very positive effect on casualty outcomes.
Mr Lovell was killed by the blast of the explosion, and had few burn injuries, the report said.
Burn injuries suffered by the other firefighters were the result of explosion flames, not the subsequent fire.
Severity of injuries varied according to where they had been at the time of the explosion, with those most severely injured outside the coolstore.
Firefighters have been touchy about public fame.
In the 1990s, firefighter Royd Kennedy blamed his own act of heroism for him being ostracised by his workmates, who saw him as grandstanding.
Mr Kennedy comforted 12-year-old Shirley Young when she was trapped beneath a blazing petrol tanker in Manukau City.
He crawled under the blazing tanker to hold her hand and reassure her she would be rescued.
As he lay amid the foam and burning fuel, other firefighters sprayed water on him and the trapped girl.
Mr Kennedy received a bravery award but other firefighters involved in the rescue were badly burnt and had to leave the Fire Service.
His "exceptional heroism" was recognised in Parliament, but he left the Fire Service disillusioned after suffering personal attacks.
