The fireman's pole is history - at least in Vienna.

The last pole in the Austrian capital was removed recently, marking the end of a spectacular - but potentially dangerous - fixture in fire stations around the world, firefighter spokesman Lukas Schauer said.

Mr Schauer told state broadcaster ORF that the poles are no longer needed because new or renovated stations are laid out in a way that the poles would not result in time saved in getting to a fire.

He said the only remaining pole remains in Vienna's firefighters' museum, adding: "Stairs are safer."

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