Canoeing into the lounge of a Lorton home to rescue residents is one of the more unusual incidents in the 29-year career of Cockermouth firefighter David Rushton.

Mr Rushton, watch manager at Cockermouth, has retired despite admitting that he would “miss it like hell.”

He said, at 60, it was time to give some of the younger people a go.

“I run my own business, Cumbria Fabrications in Distington.

“Getting up to calls at four in the morning and then having to go to work does take its toll. Also, when you are on call for 120 hours a week it takes its toll on family life. I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife Debbie and doing things together.”

Mr Rushton joined the brigade after leaving the Royal Navy and returning to Cockermouth to join his family’s business Gordon Rushton Ltd.

Two memorable fires include the blaze that all but destroyed St Michael’s Church in Workington.

“The only part that was saved was the belfry – and that was for the second time.”

The church fire Cockermouth brigade attended was in 1994. But in 1887 the church had also caught fire and, as in 1994, only the belfry escaped.

Cockermouth firefighters helped with the SIS warehouse fire in Maryport.

“We were there for three weeks, turning the artificial turf and putting out hot spots.”

But his greatest challenge were the two major floods.

“On the Thursday of the November 2009 my wife rang me at work and told me to get straight home. Then said: “No. Go straight to the fire station.”

“I didn’t get home until Saturday.”

He said literally canoeing into someone’s lounge to pick up husband, wife and two dogs was a surreal experience.

“I don’t think anyone knows the extent of the work the fire service did during those floods.”