Belmont firefighter Graham Lane to retire after 35 years

After 35 years on the job, a Belmont firefighter has recalled his most memorable moments including when a man was so drunk he didn’t know his house was going up in flames.

Belmont firefighter Graham Lane is retiring after 35 years on the job. Pictured with his daughter Becky Linke, who is also a firefighter. Picture: Alan Barber

From a drunk man answering the door when his house was on fire, to rescuing cats stuck in drains, firefighter Graham Lane has seen it all during his 35 year career.

The 60-year-old remembers attending a house fire in the early years of his career where a man was so drunk, he didn’t know his home was going up in flames.

“He answered the front door and we said ‘mate, your house is on fire’,” Mr Lane said.

“His housemate had gone out to move his car away from the fire, but had forgotten to tell his friend.”

Mr Lane, who will work his final shift at Belmont Fire Station on Thursday, says he will never forget his first job as a pump operator.

“We turned into the street and I just saw flames rolling out the building,” Mr Lane said.

The Drysdale resident has rescued plenty of cats from trees and drain pipes over the years.

“We always have people ask if we can cut down the tree to get their cat down,” he said.

His daughter Becky Linke has followed in his footsteps and is also working as a firefighter at Ocean Grove.

“It’s awesome (that she is a firefighter),” he said.

“I’m very proud.”

Mr Lane has worked at the Belmont brigade for three years and was previously stationed in Portland and in the Melbourne suburbs of Broadmeadows and Thomastown.

Belmont firefighter Graham Lane is retiring after 35 years on the job. Pictured with his daughter Becky Linke, who is also a firefighter. Picture: Alan Barber

He said he was very excited to retire.

“I think like everyone, my plans are to relax and take it easy,” Mr Lane said.

He is keen to spend time travelling in his caravan with his family, play golf and go fishing as well as spending time with his three children and four grandchildren.

“The best thing about retirement is because we worked different shifts, we didn’t know when we would be working about six to eight weeks in advance (but) now if I want to do something on the weekend, I can,” Mr Lane said.

Originally published as Belmont firefighter Graham Lane to retire after 35 years