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Blast fireworks company was fined Blast fireworks company was fined
(about 1 hour 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 UK Ltd 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 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 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 the site on Marley Farm in Shortgate, which included a steel fabrication facility and the house of Festival Fireworks owner Martin Winter, remains 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 UK Ltd owner Martin Winter, remains unknown.
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 had facial surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, but was in a stable condition on Tuesday.He suffered chest injuries and had facial surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, but was in a stable condition on Tuesday.
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.
'Shocked and saddened''Shocked and saddened'
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 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."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.
Tributes to the dead firefighters were laid at CrowboroughBoth men were married and both had two children.Tributes to the dead firefighters were laid at CrowboroughBoth men were married and both had two children.
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.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.
He said small fires were still burning and there were hazardous materials on site including fireworks, gas cylinders and unexploded ordnance.He said small fires were still burning and there were hazardous materials on site including fireworks, gas cylinders and unexploded ordnance.
Ch Supt Nick Wilkinson said local residents who had to leave their homes had found alternative accommodation.Ch Supt Nick Wilkinson said local residents who had to leave their homes had found alternative accommodation.
Road closures were being reviewed but were still in place.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 HSE.Police and senior firefighters have promised a thorough investigation into the incident, which will also involve the HSE.
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 and a memorial fund started to the two men who lost their lives.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.