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Massive blaze at fireworks depot Massive blaze at fireworks depot
(30 minutes later)
A number of people have been hurt, some seriously, in a fire at a fireworks depot near Halland in East Sussex.A number of people have been hurt, some seriously, in a fire at a fireworks depot near Halland in East Sussex.
Police evacuated the area after fire crews were called to the site at The Broyle industrial estate at 1350 GMT. Police evacuated the area after fire crews were called to Festival Fireworks at The Broyle at 1350 GMT.
Eye-witnesses have spoken of seeing a huge mushroom cloud of smoke from several miles away and fireworks have been exploding.Eye-witnesses have spoken of seeing a huge mushroom cloud of smoke from several miles away and fireworks have been exploding.
BBC reporter Rob Smith said the fire is still raging and fireworks were going off hours after the blaze started.BBC reporter Rob Smith said the fire is still raging and fireworks were going off hours after the blaze started.
Twelve ambulances, 10 fire engines, and an air ambulance were sent to the scene.Twelve ambulances, 10 fire engines, and an air ambulance were sent to the scene.
Janine Bell, of South East Coast Ambulance Service, said she was not able to confirm the number of casualties.Janine Bell, of South East Coast Ambulance Service, said she was not able to confirm the number of casualties.
But she said the situation "worsened" during the afternoon.But she said the situation "worsened" during the afternoon.
Casualties have been taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, and Eastbourne District General.Casualties have been taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, and Eastbourne District General.
John Winter, whose brother owns the depot at Marley Farm, in Shortgate, told BBC News 24 there had been "an almighty bang, and the place shook". A spokesman for Eastbourne District General Hospital said five people injured in the fire had been taken there for treatment.
He added: "Four have since been discharged, and one other has non-life threateninginjuries."
John Winter, whose brother owns the Festival Fireworks depot at Marley Farm, in Shortgate, told BBC News 24 there had been "an almighty bang, and the place shook".
He said his brother and family had managed to get out of the building safely, but their house had burnt down.He said his brother and family had managed to get out of the building safely, but their house had burnt down.
"The place is still burning, but no-one is doing anything," he said.
Tiles and windows had been blown into neighbouring houses, Mr Winter added.Tiles and windows had been blown into neighbouring houses, Mr Winter added.
'Colossal smoke''Colossal smoke'
Residents in the area have been evacuated to Ringmer Community College.Residents in the area have been evacuated to Ringmer Community College.
It is understood the fireworks store is a concrete complex with steel doors.It is understood the fireworks store is a concrete complex with steel doors.
Jo Hyne, who lives about 500m from the depot, said she heard a loud bang which she had thought at first was thunder.Jo Hyne, who lives about 500m from the depot, said she heard a loud bang which she had thought at first was thunder.
It was like a fireworks display with a fire in the middle of it Richard Mitchell, eyewitness She said there was "a colossal amount of smoke, and rockets going off", before a much larger explosion that shook her house.It was like a fireworks display with a fire in the middle of it Richard Mitchell, eyewitness She said there was "a colossal amount of smoke, and rockets going off", before a much larger explosion that shook her house.
She added that a friend who lived five miles away had had two doors in her house blown off.She added that a friend who lived five miles away had had two doors in her house blown off.
Another eyewitness, Richard Mitchell, watched the drama unfold from outside a pub in Lewes Road, Ringmer.Another eyewitness, Richard Mitchell, watched the drama unfold from outside a pub in Lewes Road, Ringmer.
"It was like a fireworks display with a fire in the middle of it," he said."It was like a fireworks display with a fire in the middle of it," he said.
Claire Freeman, from Ringmer, had been eating in the Wok Inn next door to the depot when the fire broke out.Claire Freeman, from Ringmer, had been eating in the Wok Inn next door to the depot when the fire broke out.
She said diners were evacuated to the car park at the time of the largest explosion.She said diners were evacuated to the car park at the time of the largest explosion.
She told the BBC news website: "Pieces of wood [were] falling, hissing into puddles around us, at which point we left pretty sharpish."She told the BBC news website: "Pieces of wood [were] falling, hissing into puddles around us, at which point we left pretty sharpish."
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