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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Families' tribute to firefighters | Families' tribute to firefighters |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The families of the four firefighters killed in a warehouse blaze have spoken of their dedication to the job. | The families of the four firefighters killed in a warehouse blaze have spoken of their dedication to the job. |
| Three of the firefighters were given a guard of honour by up to 200 fire staff as their bodies were brought out of the plant at Atherstone-on-Stour, Warks. | Three of the firefighters were given a guard of honour by up to 200 fire staff as their bodies were brought out of the plant at Atherstone-on-Stour, Warks. |
| A fourth firefighter died in hospital following Friday evening's blaze. | A fourth firefighter died in hospital following Friday evening's blaze. |
| Alcester mayor David Hancox said it had had an effect on the whole community but at least now the bodies had been found the "interminable wait" was over. | Alcester mayor David Hancox said it had had an effect on the whole community but at least now the bodies had been found the "interminable wait" was over. |
| 'Great sadness' | 'Great sadness' |
| He said he had been with families and colleagues of the firefighters when the first body was discovered. | He said he had been with families and colleagues of the firefighters when the first body was discovered. |
| "The announcement was followed by a time of great sadness but also, during the day, a sense of relief started to come into the town and at least the entire, interminable waiting was over." | |
| I can't find anyone in the town who can remember anything which has affected so many people Alcester mayor David Hancox He hoped families could now start their slow process of coming to terms with the tragedy. | I can't find anyone in the town who can remember anything which has affected so many people Alcester mayor David Hancox He hoped families could now start their slow process of coming to terms with the tragedy. |
| The town of Alcester is about ten miles from Atherstone on Stour. Two of the firefighters, Ashley Stephens and Darren Yates-Badley, were based at Alcester fire station. | The town of Alcester is about ten miles from Atherstone on Stour. Two of the firefighters, Ashley Stephens and Darren Yates-Badley, were based at Alcester fire station. |
| Ian Reid, 44, who died in hospital, and John Averis, 27, were based at nearby Stratford-upon-Avon. | Ian Reid, 44, who died in hospital, and John Averis, 27, were based at nearby Stratford-upon-Avon. |
| "The effect on the community has been quite dramatic. | "The effect on the community has been quite dramatic. |
| "We are a close knit community and this has touched the lives of every single one of us. | "We are a close knit community and this has touched the lives of every single one of us. |
| "I can't find anyone in the town who can remember anything which has affected so many people." | "I can't find anyone in the town who can remember anything which has affected so many people." |
| Families tribute | Families tribute |
| Paying tribute, the families of the four men all spoke of their love and dedication for the job. | Paying tribute, the families of the four men all spoke of their love and dedication for the job. |
| Ashley Stephens, a retained firefighter with a three-month-old son, followed in his father's footsteps and joined Alcester Fire Station in April 2006. | Ashley Stephens, a retained firefighter with a three-month-old son, followed in his father's footsteps and joined Alcester Fire Station in April 2006. |
| His fiancee, Emma Crocker, and parents Sharon and Paul said they were numbed by events. | His fiancee, Emma Crocker, and parents Sharon and Paul said they were numbed by events. |
| "He was totally dedicated to his job as a firefighter and he also enjoyed his role working for a local joinery company. Ashley was shy and gentle and loved his job in the fire service," they said. | "He was totally dedicated to his job as a firefighter and he also enjoyed his role working for a local joinery company. Ashley was shy and gentle and loved his job in the fire service," they said. |
| Three of the firefighters were in their 20s and one was 44Ian Reid's wife, Julie, said: "Ian loved the fire service, he would spend so much time at the station and would take up any training opportunity that was on offer. | Three of the firefighters were in their 20s and one was 44Ian Reid's wife, Julie, said: "Ian loved the fire service, he would spend so much time at the station and would take up any training opportunity that was on offer. |
| "He really got on well with everyone at the station and he knew many of his colleagues from growing up in Stratford." | "He really got on well with everyone at the station and he knew many of his colleagues from growing up in Stratford." |
| His 11-year-old daughter, Sophie, said she would miss him being around all the time. | His 11-year-old daughter, Sophie, said she would miss him being around all the time. |
| "My dad would do anything for me and he would take me to football every weekend. He was a lovely person and would help me with my homework." | "My dad would do anything for me and he would take me to football every weekend. He was a lovely person and would help me with my homework." |
| 'Small fire service' | 'Small fire service' |
| Tony Nutting, of the Fire Brigades Union, spoke of the state of shock which was affecting the service. | Tony Nutting, of the Fire Brigades Union, spoke of the state of shock which was affecting the service. |
| He said: "Certainly for Warwickshire it's going to have a massive effect because they're such a small, tight fire service, a lot of retained duty system people, and it will have a massive effect and it will take a lot of time to recover from." | He said: "Certainly for Warwickshire it's going to have a massive effect because they're such a small, tight fire service, a lot of retained duty system people, and it will have a massive effect and it will take a lot of time to recover from." |
| Police investigations into how the fire started are continuing - 140 police personnel are working on the inquiry, which is still being treated as suspicious. | Police investigations into how the fire started are continuing - 140 police personnel are working on the inquiry, which is still being treated as suspicious. |
| A special incident room has been set up at Stratford police station with up to 200 firefighters who attended the incident due to be questioned. | A special incident room has been set up at Stratford police station with up to 200 firefighters who attended the incident due to be questioned. |
| A total of 160 warehouse employees have already been interviewed. | A total of 160 warehouse employees have already been interviewed. |
| Crews searching for the bodies were hampered by the perilous conditions of the warehouse. | Crews searching for the bodies were hampered by the perilous conditions of the warehouse. |
| Strong winds made it unsafe and search and rescue teams were asked to leave the building on several occasions on Tuesday. | Strong winds made it unsafe and search and rescue teams were asked to leave the building on several occasions on Tuesday. |