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Search for missing firefighters Search for missing firefighters
(about 2 hours later)
Search teams are preparing to scour a warehouse for three firefighters who are missing and feared dead after a suspected arson attack in Warwickshire. Fire officers have briefly entered a Warwickshire warehouse to search for three firefighters missing and feared dead after a suspected arson attack.
The officers spent a few minutes in the devastated building to conduct an "initial visual assessment".
One fireman died after being pulled from the vegetable packing plant when the warehouse roof collapsed, but his three colleagues remained inside.One fireman died after being pulled from the vegetable packing plant when the warehouse roof collapsed, but his three colleagues remained inside.
Fire crews have not been able to enter the building since and the county fire service has said it fears the worst.
An inquiry into the fire will look at why crews were sent into the building.An inquiry into the fire will look at why crews were sent into the building.
Lights have been put up at the scene of the fire and the BBC's Nicola Pearson, speaking from Atherstone on Stour on Saturday evening, said it appeared rescue teams were preparing to go into the warehouse. Warwickshire police said: "The specialist search and rescue team were only able to enter a few feet into the building, where they remained for only a few minutes, to carry out an initial visual assessment of the collapsed building.
"Fire officers and police officers at the scene have now withdrawn."
'My worst day''My worst day'
It said work would resume on Sunday "with the assistance of structural engineers and the Health and Safety Executive".
Prime Minister Gordon Brown earlier said he was "shocked and saddened" while Tory leader David Cameron said it was a reminder of the dangers facing emergency workers.Prime Minister Gordon Brown earlier said he was "shocked and saddened" while Tory leader David Cameron said it was a reminder of the dangers facing emergency workers.
A Warwickshire fire service statement said: "Concerns are heightened hour by hour for the three firefighters who are still missing.A Warwickshire fire service statement said: "Concerns are heightened hour by hour for the three firefighters who are still missing.
"Our worst fears may be realised but we will not give up our search.""Our worst fears may be realised but we will not give up our search."
Ever-present threat of death In pictures: Warehouse fireEver-present threat of death In pictures: Warehouse fire
The gutted warehouse is being treated as a crime scene and police said they believed the fire might have been started deliberately.The gutted warehouse is being treated as a crime scene and police said they believed the fire might have been started deliberately.
Warwickshire's chief fire officer William Brown, speaking at a press conference on Saturday morning, described it as "the worst day of my career".Warwickshire's chief fire officer William Brown, speaking at a press conference on Saturday morning, described it as "the worst day of my career".
He said an inquiry into the fire would look at why the firefighters were sent into the building.He said an inquiry into the fire would look at why the firefighters were sent into the building.
"The whole situation around this incident, the tactics employed by the firefighters while they were there, will be subject to this investigation.""The whole situation around this incident, the tactics employed by the firefighters while they were there, will be subject to this investigation."
The prime minister said in tribute to the firefighters: "My thoughts are with the families of those killed, missing and injured.The prime minister said in tribute to the firefighters: "My thoughts are with the families of those killed, missing and injured.
"I pay tribute to the courage, dedication and service of the firefighters. We stand ready to help in any way we can.""I pay tribute to the courage, dedication and service of the firefighters. We stand ready to help in any way we can."
Loss of life
It is believed that warehouse staff were in the building, near Stratford-upon-Avon when fire broke out. An FBU spokesman said crews would have been sent in if more civilians were thought to be inside.It is believed that warehouse staff were in the building, near Stratford-upon-Avon when fire broke out. An FBU spokesman said crews would have been sent in if more civilians were thought to be inside.
Vegetable packing and distribution firm Wealmoor Atherstone Ltd owns the site, where it employs 300 people.
'Devastated' firm
A spokesman for the company said it was "devastated" by the death of the firefighter and would cooperate with police and fire investigations into the blaze.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), told BBC News the potential loss of four lives would make the incident the worst loss of life among its members for 35 years.Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), told BBC News the potential loss of four lives would make the incident the worst loss of life among its members for 35 years.
In 1972, seven firefighters died while fighting a blaze at a warehouse in Kilbirnie Street, Glasgow.In 1972, seven firefighters died while fighting a blaze at a warehouse in Kilbirnie Street, Glasgow.
In that incident, one firefighter was trapped inside the building and six of his colleagues died trying to rescue him.In that incident, one firefighter was trapped inside the building and six of his colleagues died trying to rescue him.