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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Stafford fireworks fire: One person still missing | Stafford fireworks fire: One person still missing |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| One person is missing after a large blaze at a fireworks factory that saw two people taken to hospital. | One person is missing after a large blaze at a fireworks factory that saw two people taken to hospital. |
| Dramatic bursts of fireworks and thick smoke could be seen as the fire burned in Stafford on Thursday night. | Dramatic bursts of fireworks and thick smoke could be seen as the fire burned in Stafford on Thursday night. |
| Although the blaze at the unit of SP Fireworks was brought under control, firefighters remained at the scene through the night. | Although the blaze at the unit of SP Fireworks was brought under control, firefighters remained at the scene through the night. |
| The emergency services said they were working with the family of the person who remained unaccounted for. | The emergency services said they were working with the family of the person who remained unaccounted for. |
| In total four people were hurt in the fire, which started at about 17:00 GMT and tore through the building on the Baswich Industrial Estate. | In total four people were hurt in the fire, which started at about 17:00 GMT and tore through the building on the Baswich Industrial Estate. |
| 'Mayhem' | |
| At its peak, the blaze was being tackled by about 50 firefighters. | At its peak, the blaze was being tackled by about 50 firefighters. |
| Staffordshire Police said the site would be searched once the fire was completely out, as the operation moved into an investigation into the cause of the fire. | Staffordshire Police said the site would be searched once the fire was completely out, as the operation moved into an investigation into the cause of the fire. |
| Supt Jane Hewett said: "On Friday we will continue to investigate this incident and work to ensure everyone is accounted for. | Supt Jane Hewett said: "On Friday we will continue to investigate this incident and work to ensure everyone is accounted for. |
| "Sadly, at this stage, we believe there is a person unaccounted for and our focus remains tracing those at the factory shortly before the explosion. | |
| "A joint investigation into the incident is already under way, which will work to establish the cause and circumstances immediately before the fire." | "A joint investigation into the incident is already under way, which will work to establish the cause and circumstances immediately before the fire." |
| West Midlands Ambulance Service said four people were treated at the scene and two needed to be taken to hospital - a man in his 40s with serious burns and a man in his 60s who had inhaled smoke. | |
| A number of roads in the area were closed and businesses and homes were evacuated. | A number of roads in the area were closed and businesses and homes were evacuated. |
| Eyewitness Robert Hine said he first heard an "enormous bang" at about 17:20. | |
| "It was like November the 5th 10 times," he said. | |
| "There were fireworks going off in all directions, bangs, great plumes of black smoke. | |
| "I assumed someone must have set fire to a great load of fireworks. | |
| "It was mayhem." | |
| Police said they planned to reduce the size of the cordon around the scene in the early hours so Baswich Lane could reopen to traffic. | |
| Tilcon Ave will remain closed and cordoned off while the investigation continues, and all the businesses accessed via Tilcon Ave will remain closed and sealed off for the time being. |