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Crew searches 'to take 36 hours' Crew searches 'to take 36 hours'
(10 minutes later)
An "inch by inch" search to recover three firefighters missing presumed dead in a blaze could take 36 hours. An "inch-by-inch" search to recover three firefighters missing presumed dead in a blaze could take 36 hours.
Fire chiefs said the gutted warehouse in Atherstone on Stour, Warwickshire, was "dangerously unstable".Fire chiefs said the gutted warehouse in Atherstone on Stour, Warwickshire, was "dangerously unstable".
Nine specialist teams will search for the missing crew and look for clues to establish what caused the fire, which is being treated as suspicious.Nine specialist teams will search for the missing crew and look for clues to establish what caused the fire, which is being treated as suspicious.
One firefighter was confirmed dead after being pulled from the height of the blaze on Friday night.One firefighter was confirmed dead after being pulled from the height of the blaze on Friday night.
Three of his colleagues remained in the burning vegetable packing warehouse as the roof collapsed.Three of his colleagues remained in the burning vegetable packing warehouse as the roof collapsed.
Digging equipmentDigging equipment
The specialist teams, from across the UK, started going onto the site on Sunday afternoon.The specialist teams, from across the UK, started going onto the site on Sunday afternoon.
Experts will also be investigating why the crews went into the warehouse while it was still burning.Experts will also be investigating why the crews went into the warehouse while it was still burning.
Mr Hall said the search operation could take 36 hours It has an added poignancy when it is their own colleagues they are searching for Jon Hall, Fire chief
At a news conference on Sunday afternoon, Asst Chief Officer Jon Hall, of Hereford and Worcester Fire Service, said there was a "36-hour plan to work through the whole building".At a news conference on Sunday afternoon, Asst Chief Officer Jon Hall, of Hereford and Worcester Fire Service, said there was a "36-hour plan to work through the whole building".
He said crews would be using heat-seeking equipment and specialist digging equipment to get through the rubble. He said crews would be using heat-seeking equipment and specialist digging equipment to get through the rubble of the building, which he said was still collapsing.
Mr Hall said: "The crews always want to do their best but it has an added poignancy when it is their own colleagues they are searching for." Mr Hall said: "It's still moving - we know it's moving, and that's why you'll see monitoring equipment so we know exactly what parts of the building are moving and when.
"Particularly in the current weather where it heats up and cools down overnight there's still a lot of movement in that building. It's quite a complex search operation."
He added: "The crews always want to do their best but it has an added poignancy when it is their own colleagues they are searching for."
'Deeply affected''Deeply affected'
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said they believed all four were retained firefighters, who work part-time.The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said they believed all four were retained firefighters, who work part-time.
Sir Ken Knight, the government's chief fire and rescue adviser, described the incident as "harrowing".Sir Ken Knight, the government's chief fire and rescue adviser, described the incident as "harrowing".
Police have said warehouse workers managed to escape the blaze when fire broke out, but it is not known whether fire crews believed more civilians were inside the building when they entered.Police have said warehouse workers managed to escape the blaze when fire broke out, but it is not known whether fire crews believed more civilians were inside the building when they entered.
Ever-present threat of death In pictures: Warehouse fireEver-present threat of death In pictures: Warehouse fire
Warwickshire Fire Service's chaplain Canon David Capron, who is from a family of retained firefighters, said people were converging on nearby Alcester's fire station in tears to express their condolences.Warwickshire Fire Service's chaplain Canon David Capron, who is from a family of retained firefighters, said people were converging on nearby Alcester's fire station in tears to express their condolences.
He said: "Clearly this has deeply affected the town. It's a close-knit community."He said: "Clearly this has deeply affected the town. It's a close-knit community."
He held a service at St Nicholas's Church in Alcester on Sunday morning for the firefighter who had died and those missing.He held a service at St Nicholas's Church in Alcester on Sunday morning for the firefighter who had died and those missing.
People were seen silently walking into the church holding hands and with bowed heads.People were seen silently walking into the church holding hands and with bowed heads.
Vegetable packing and distribution firm Wealmoor Atherstone Ltd owns the site, where 300 people are employed.Vegetable packing and distribution firm Wealmoor Atherstone Ltd owns the site, where 300 people are employed.
The incident could be the worst loss of life for on-duty firefighters for more than 30 years.The incident could be the worst loss of life for on-duty firefighters for more than 30 years.
Seven firefighters died in 1972 while fighting a blaze at a warehouse in Kilbirnie Street, Glasgow.Seven firefighters died in 1972 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.