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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Village funeral for blast fireman | Village funeral for blast fireman |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The funeral of one of two firemen killed in an explosion at a fireworks depot in East Sussex has been held. | |
| Geoff Wicker, 49, died alongside Brian Wembridge in the incident on 3 December at Festival fireworks UK, near Lewes. | Geoff Wicker, 49, died alongside Brian Wembridge in the incident on 3 December at Festival fireworks UK, near Lewes. |
| His coffin was carried on a turntable ladder fire engine as the cortege left Heathfield, passing the fire station where he was Watch Manager. | His coffin was carried on a turntable ladder fire engine as the cortege left Heathfield, passing the fire station where he was Watch Manager. |
| It then moved on to the village of Mayfield where the funeral service took place at St Dunstan's Church. | |
| Guard of honour | Guard of honour |
| Mr Wicker had lived in Mayfield all his life until he moved to Heathfield eight years ago and had served with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) for 31 years. | Mr Wicker had lived in Mayfield all his life until he moved to Heathfield eight years ago and had served with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) for 31 years. |
| Fire service staff from across the UK lined the road outside the church and a guard of honour was inside the church gates. | Fire service staff from across the UK lined the road outside the church and a guard of honour was inside the church gates. |
| Hundreds of people turned out for Mr Wembridge's funeral in Crowborough on Tuesday, and many local people lined the streets of the funeral procession for Mr Wicker. | |
| The service was followed by a private burial in St Dunstan's churchyard. | |
| ESFRS staff on duty observed a minute's silence at 1400 GMT. | |
| The cause of the fireworks blaze and explosion, in which 12 people were injured, including nine firefighters and a police officer, is under investigation. | The cause of the fireworks blaze and explosion, in which 12 people were injured, including nine firefighters and a police officer, is under investigation. |