A firefighter was killed and another injured as they battled a car fire on Saturday night.

Watch manager Paul Mallaghan, 46, was attending a routine blaze in a Saab car between junction seven and eight of the A1(M) near Stevenage when the accident happened.

Mr Mallaghan and another colleague, both based at Stevenage Fire Station, were struck by a VW Golf.

Both men and the driver were taken to the Lister hospital but doctors were unable to save Mr Mallaghan. The condition of the other firefighter is not yet known.

Mr Mallaghan leaves behind a wife and young family.

Chief Fire Officer Roy Wilsher said: "This is an absolute tragedy and we are completely devastated. The fire service is like one big family and we have lost a member of that family. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Paul's family at this very sad time."

Mr Mallaghan had served the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for 16 years and was from the same Blue Watch in Stevenage where two firefighters died in February 2005 in a fire at a flat.

Police have yet to name the second injured man but confirm they are investigating the incident.