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Funeral of warehouse firefighter Funeral of warehouse firefighter
(40 minutes later)
Hundreds of firefighters have lined the streets of a Warwickshire village for the funeral of one of four firemen killed in a warehouse blaze.Hundreds of firefighters have lined the streets of a Warwickshire village for the funeral of one of four firemen killed in a warehouse blaze.
The body of John Averis, 27, was found five days after the fire at the factory in Atherstone-on-Stour, Warwickshire.The body of John Averis, 27, was found five days after the fire at the factory in Atherstone-on-Stour, Warwickshire.
Mr Averis' coffin was carried in a fire engine to the service at St Gregory's Church in Tredington.Mr Averis' coffin was carried in a fire engine to the service at St Gregory's Church in Tredington.
Darren Yates-Badley, 24, and Ashley Stephens, 20, were also killed. Ian Reid, 44, died after being rescued.Darren Yates-Badley, 24, and Ashley Stephens, 20, were also killed. Ian Reid, 44, died after being rescued.
Mr Averis is the first of the four men to be laid to rest following the fire on 2 November.Mr Averis is the first of the four men to be laid to rest following the fire on 2 November.
Up to 1,000 mourners were expected to gather for the service.Up to 1,000 mourners were expected to gather for the service.
About 400 firefighters, who had been given special permission to attend the service, lined the streets as the cortege arrived. More than 1,000 firefighters from around the UK, who had been given special permission to attend the service, lined the streets as the cortege arrived.
John Averis is the first firefighter to be laid to rest Hundreds of firefighters lined the route
The coffin was covered in a Union flag and white and yellow flowers.
It was given a salute by a senior officer from Warwickshire Fire Service before being carried into the church by pall-bearers, accompanied by members of Mr Averis's family.
In a statement read out at the opening of the inquest into his death, his mother Kathleen Averis described how her son's ambition was to be a full-time firefighter.In a statement read out at the opening of the inquest into his death, his mother Kathleen Averis described how her son's ambition was to be a full-time firefighter.
"John was a popular, hard-working, conscientious man. People couldn't help warming to him. He lived life to the full," she said."John was a popular, hard-working, conscientious man. People couldn't help warming to him. He lived life to the full," she said.
The funerals of Mr Averis's three colleagues will take place on separate dates in December.The funerals of Mr Averis's three colleagues will take place on separate dates in December.
William Brown, Warwickshire's county fire officer, said: "The funerals mark a time of quiet reflection and great mourning for the loss of our heroic firefighters."William Brown, Warwickshire's county fire officer, said: "The funerals mark a time of quiet reflection and great mourning for the loss of our heroic firefighters."
John Averis is the first firefighter to be laid to rest
Investigations are continuing into the fire by Warwickshire Police, the Health and Safety Executive and the fire service.Investigations are continuing into the fire by Warwickshire Police, the Health and Safety Executive and the fire service.
Forensic examinations at the scene are expected to take several weeks due to the size and condition of the building and the investigation itself is expected to last several months.Forensic examinations at the scene are expected to take several weeks due to the size and condition of the building and the investigation itself is expected to last several months.
On Wednesday, police said Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service could face charges of corporate manslaughter over the deaths of the four.On Wednesday, police said Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service could face charges of corporate manslaughter over the deaths of the four.