This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/southern_counties/6208814.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Blast fireworks company was fined | Blast fireworks company was fined |
(30 minutes later) | |
The firm which owns a fireworks depot in which two firemen were killed in an explosion had been fined for storing explosives without a licence. | The firm which owns a fireworks depot in which two firemen were killed in an explosion had been fined for storing explosives without a licence. |
Festival Fireworks was fined £1,000 under its previous name, Sussex Fireworks and Displays, in 1999, the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) said. | Festival Fireworks was fined £1,000 under its previous name, Sussex Fireworks and Displays, in 1999, the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) said. |
The business, near Lewes, last inspected on 11 October, currently has a licence covering three buildings. | |
The scene of Sunday's fire has now been declared safe for investigators. | |
The site is still categorised as a dangerous environment but Sussex Police said the wet weather had helped to cool up to 20 gas cylinders which it was feared could explode. | |
The cause of the fire at Marley Farm in Shortgate is still unknown. | |
A spokeswoman said documenting the scene forensically would be a "meticulous and time-consuming" process. | |
An aerial view of the scene shows the gutted buildings | |
An HSE spokeswoman said Sussex Fireworks pleaded guilty to contravening the Explosives Act. | An HSE spokeswoman said Sussex Fireworks pleaded guilty to contravening the Explosives Act. |
It admitted storing fireworks at Upper Lodge Farm, a building adjacent to the explosion site, which was not covered by its licence. | It admitted storing fireworks at Upper Lodge Farm, a building adjacent to the explosion site, which was not covered by its licence. |
Of the 12 people injured in Sunday's fire, only one remains in hospital, a 39-year-old man from Uckfield who was a passer-by. | Of the 12 people injured in Sunday's fire, only one remains in hospital, a 39-year-old man from Uckfield who was a passer-by. |
He suffered chest injuries and has had facial surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. His son, aged 23, suffered minor cuts. | He suffered chest injuries and has had facial surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. His son, aged 23, suffered minor cuts. |
A police sergeant who was also injured has had surgery on his leg while two other firefighters, named as Mike Sweetman and Clive Widgery, have now been discharged from hospital. | A police sergeant who was also injured has had surgery on his leg while two other firefighters, named as Mike Sweetman and Clive Widgery, have now been discharged from hospital. |
One of the men who died was retired firefighter Brian Wembridge, 63, who had been re-employed by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service as a photographer and cameraman. | One of the men who died was retired firefighter Brian Wembridge, 63, who had been re-employed by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service as a photographer and cameraman. |
Both of them (the dead fire crew members) worked tirelessly for others Colleague Roger Bradgate | Both of them (the dead fire crew members) worked tirelessly for others Colleague Roger Bradgate |
His pictures from fire scenes were regularly used by BBC South East Today and the news website. | His pictures from fire scenes were regularly used by BBC South East Today and the news website. |
Editor Quentin Smith paid tribute to Mr Wembridge. | Editor Quentin Smith paid tribute to Mr Wembridge. |
"Brian was a great friend of BBC South East," he said. | "Brian was a great friend of BBC South East," he said. |
"He was a regular visitor to our newsroom and his professionalism and friendliness was tremendously valued. We are all shocked and saddened by his death and that of his colleague." | "He was a regular visitor to our newsroom and his professionalism and friendliness was tremendously valued. We are all shocked and saddened by his death and that of his colleague." |
The other man who died was 49-year-old control room staff member Geoff Wicker, who was also a retained firefighter. | The other man who died was 49-year-old control room staff member Geoff Wicker, who was also a retained firefighter. |
Roger Bradgate, a former sub-officer at Crowborough who worked with them both for many years, said he was "devastated". | |
"Both of them worked tirelessly for others on behalf of the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund and in their service with the brigade, caring for others all the time, " he said. | "Both of them worked tirelessly for others on behalf of the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund and in their service with the brigade, caring for others all the time, " he said. |
Police and senior firefighters have promised a thorough investigation into the incident, which will also involve the Health and Safety Executive, and is expected to take many weeks. | Police and senior firefighters have promised a thorough investigation into the incident, which will also involve the Health and Safety Executive, and is expected to take many weeks. |
Tributes to the dead firefighters were laid at Crowborough | Tributes to the dead firefighters were laid at Crowborough |
Aerial pictures revealed on Monday the full extent of the devastation at the site, which included a "steel fabrication facility" as well as the fireworks depot. | Aerial pictures revealed on Monday the full extent of the devastation at the site, which included a "steel fabrication facility" as well as the fireworks depot. |
Gutted buildings could be seen, including the remains of the home of owner of Festival Fireworks, Martin Winter. | Gutted buildings could be seen, including the remains of the home of owner of Festival Fireworks, Martin Winter. |
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it had been "overwhelmed by the messages of kindness, support and empathy" it had received. | East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it had been "overwhelmed by the messages of kindness, support and empathy" it had received. |
Books of condolence were opened at town halls and fire stations across the county on Tuesday and a memorial fund to the two men who lost their lives set up. | |
The BBC has also set up an online book of condolence. |