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Two bodies found in Stafford fireworks warehouse following blaze Two bodies found in Stafford fireworks warehouse following blaze
(35 minutes later)
The bodies of two people have been found in the remains of a fireworks warehouse in Stafford after it caught fire on Thursday.The bodies of two people have been found in the remains of a fireworks warehouse in Stafford after it caught fire on Thursday.
Staffordshire police said the remains were discovered almost 24 hours after an explosion at the Baswich Industrial Estate in Stafford, sparking a huge fire which tore through an industrial unit at 5.15pm on Thursday.Staffordshire police said the remains were discovered almost 24 hours after an explosion at the Baswich Industrial Estate in Stafford, sparking a huge fire which tore through an industrial unit at 5.15pm on Thursday.
Two men were taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, one aged in his 60s suffering from a back injury, and another, in his 40s, with serious burns. Two men were taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, one aged in his 60s suffering from a back injury and another, in his 40s, with serious burns.
A 53-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the incident has been released and is now being treated as a witness.A 53-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the incident has been released and is now being treated as a witness.
Dramatic footage on Thursday night showed thick plumes of smoke and bursts of fireworks exploding in all directions from the factory. Footage on Thursday night showed thick plumes of smoke and bursts of fireworks exploding in all directions from the factory.
A resident Brian Little said: “The flames were sky high. For 45 minutes to an hour it was horrendous and you could not help but watch it.”A resident Brian Little said: “The flames were sky high. For 45 minutes to an hour it was horrendous and you could not help but watch it.”
Business owner Sylvia Seaton-Jones, who has the unit next to the affected premises, said: “My heart goes out to the families. ” Business owner Sylvia Seaton-Jones, who has the unit next to the affected premises, said: “My heart goes out to the families.”
Stephanie Horton, an employee of a neighbouring firm, said it had been quiet on the Baswich Industrial Estate before she heard a “very loud explosion”, followed by several more in quick succession.Stephanie Horton, an employee of a neighbouring firm, said it had been quiet on the Baswich Industrial Estate before she heard a “very loud explosion”, followed by several more in quick succession.
“The first thing that happened was that first very loud explosion and then three explosions – I was told there were about 10 in all,” she said.“The first thing that happened was that first very loud explosion and then three explosions – I was told there were about 10 in all,” she said.
She managed to escape her place of work after a colleague “all but lifted the door off its hinges” so they could get out.She managed to escape her place of work after a colleague “all but lifted the door off its hinges” so they could get out.
Witness Neil Kendall, 66, described the noise as “deafening” and “constant” as the fireworks detonated in the heat. Witness Neil Kendall, 66, described the noise as constant and deafening as the fireworks detonated in the heat.
He is the head of the residents’ association on a nearby mobile home site, where many elderly residents live.He is the head of the residents’ association on a nearby mobile home site, where many elderly residents live.
He added the location was well known locally as somewhere to buy fireworks and that, in the seven years he had been there, there had never been any issues. He said the location was well known as somewhere to buy fireworks and that, in the seven years he had been there, there had never been any problems.
At the height of the , which took three hours to bring under control, there were 50 firefighters, eight engines and four specialist appliances at the scene, the fire service said. At the height of the fire, which took three hours to bring under control, there were 50 firefighters, eight engines and four specialist appliances at the scene, the fire service said.
Staffordshire police said it was in contact with the victims’ family members and that a joint fire investigation had been launched to find the cause of an initial explosion at the SP Fireworks building in Tilcon Avenue, Stafford.Staffordshire police said it was in contact with the victims’ family members and that a joint fire investigation had been launched to find the cause of an initial explosion at the SP Fireworks building in Tilcon Avenue, Stafford.
Supt Ian Coxhead said: “We have a great deal of sensitive and challenging work to complete in order to allow us to establish the cause of the explosion and the following fire.”Supt Ian Coxhead said: “We have a great deal of sensitive and challenging work to complete in order to allow us to establish the cause of the explosion and the following fire.”
He added that a “significant volume of fireworks” was being stored on site, and the unit had been all but destroyed in the ensuing blaze. He added that a significant volume of fireworks was being stored on site, and the unit had been all but destroyed in the ensuing blaze.
On Friday, specialist police teams have been carrying out fingertip searches of the blaze-damaged fireworks warehouse. The fire-blackened ruin of the building was still smoking on Friday afternoon, as fire crews continued to dampen it down.On Friday, specialist police teams have been carrying out fingertip searches of the blaze-damaged fireworks warehouse. The fire-blackened ruin of the building was still smoking on Friday afternoon, as fire crews continued to dampen it down.
MP for Stafford Jeremy Lefroy, who visited the scene, said he was thinking of all those who were affected. MP for Stafford Jeremy Lefroy, who visited the scene
He said: “My first thoughts are with the families of those missing and of those injured, particularly the man with serious burns who I understand has been transferred to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. : “My first thoughts are with the families of those missing and of those injured, particularly the man with serious burns, who I understand has been transferred to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth hospital.
“The business is a well-known and reputable family firm and I have no doubt they complied with the very tight regulations we have in this country surrounding fireworks.“The business is a well-known and reputable family firm and I have no doubt they complied with the very tight regulations we have in this country surrounding fireworks.
“Until we know the cause of the fire, and the outcome of the investigation, it is difficult to say any more.”“Until we know the cause of the fire, and the outcome of the investigation, it is difficult to say any more.”
Philip Atkins, Staffordshire County Council’s leader, said: “It is tragic to hear that two people are still missing and our thoughts are with their families at this time.” Philip Atkins, Staffordshire county council’s leader, said: “It is tragic to hear that two people are still missing and our thoughts are with their families at this time.”
The council also said: “Our trading standards team has registered the premises to sell fireworks for the last four years during the permitted weeks around the Bonfire and New Year periods. The council also said: “Our trading standards team has registered the premises to sell fireworks for the last four years during the permitted weeks around the bonfire and New Year periods.
“The team inspected the premises on October 16 this year and it met all safety requirements for the storage of fireworks.” “The team inspected the premises on 16 October this year and it met all safety requirements for the storage of fireworks.”