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Blast fireworks company was fined Blast fireworks company was fined
(about 4 hours 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, was last inspected on 11 October and currently has a licence covering three buildings.The business, near Lewes, was last inspected on 11 October and currently has a licence covering three buildings.
The scene of Sunday's fire has now been declared safe for investigators.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 site is still considered dangerous 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. The cause of the fire at the site on Marley Farm in Shortgate, which included a steel fabrication facility and the house of Festival Fireworks owner Martin Winter, remains unknown.
A spokeswoman said documenting the scene forensically would be a "meticulous and time-consuming" process.
The depot and nearby buildings were gutted in the fireA Health and Safety Executive (HSE) spokeswoman said Sussex Fireworks pleaded guilty to contravening the Explosives Act.The depot and nearby buildings were gutted in the fireA Health and Safety Executive (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 had facial surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, but was in a stable condition on Tuesday.
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 His pictures from fire scenes were regularly used by BBC South East Today and the news website. 'Shocked and saddened'
Editor Quentin Smith said: "Brian was a great friend of BBC South East. His pictures from fire scenes were regularly used by BBC South East Today and the news website.
"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." Editor Quentin Smith said: "Brian 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: "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." Tributes to the dead firefighters were laid at CrowboroughBoth men were married and both had two children.
Police and senior firefighters have promised a thorough investigation into the incident, which will also involve the HSE, and is expected to take many weeks. At a press conference on Tuesday, East Sussex fire chief Des Pritchard said the removal of the two bodies from the scene had been the primary objective for the emergency services.
Tributes to the dead firefighters were laid at Crowborough He said small fires were still burning and there were hazardous materials on site including fireworks, gas cylinders and unexploded ordnance.
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. Ch Supt Nick Wilkinson said local residents who had to leave their homes had found alternative accommodation.
Gutted buildings could be seen, including the remains of the home of owner of Festival Fireworks, Martin Winter. Road closures were being reviewed but were still in place.
Police and senior firefighters have promised a thorough investigation into the incident, which will also involve the HSEs.
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. Books of condolence were opened at town halls and fire stations across the county and a memorial fund started to the two men who lost their lives.
The BBC has also set up an online book of condolence.The BBC has also set up an online book of condolence.