This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-29852123
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Stafford fireworks blaze: Men who died named | Stafford fireworks blaze: Men who died named |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two men killed in a fireworks warehouse blaze in Stafford have been named. | Two men killed in a fireworks warehouse blaze in Stafford have been named. |
The bodies of Simon Hillier, 41, and 57-year-old Stewart Staples were found on Friday, a day after a huge fire and explosion at the SP Plastics industrial unit on the Baswich Estate. | The bodies of Simon Hillier, 41, and 57-year-old Stewart Staples were found on Friday, a day after a huge fire and explosion at the SP Plastics industrial unit on the Baswich Estate. |
The men, both from Hednesford, will not be formally identified for some weeks, said police, but there was enough evidence to place them at the scene. | The men, both from Hednesford, will not be formally identified for some weeks, said police, but there was enough evidence to place them at the scene. |
It is believed Mr Hillier worked at the unit and Mr Staples was a customer. | It is believed Mr Hillier worked at the unit and Mr Staples was a customer. |
Nearby workers described an initial explosion before fireworks detonated overhead and further blasts damaged neighbouring units. | Nearby workers described an initial explosion before fireworks detonated overhead and further blasts damaged neighbouring units. |
Two men were injured in the fire and one, aged in his 40s, remains in a critical condition with serious burns. | Two men were injured in the fire and one, aged in his 40s, remains in a critical condition with serious burns. |
'Deafening and constant' | 'Deafening and constant' |
The family of Mr Hillier, said he was "a fantastic son and brother" and a "terrific dad" while relatives of Mr Staples, said he was a "devoted family man". | |
Witness Stephanie Horton said it had been quiet on the estate before she heard a "very loud explosion", followed in succession by several more. | Witness Stephanie Horton said it had been quiet on the estate before she heard a "very loud explosion", followed in succession by several more. |
Ms Horton, who worked in a nearby, unit said she managed to escape after a colleague "all but lifted the door off its hinges" allowing them to get out. | Ms Horton, who worked in a nearby, unit said she managed to escape after a colleague "all but lifted the door off its hinges" allowing them to get out. |
Neil Kendall who lives in a nearby caravan park described the noise as "deafening" and "constant" as the fireworks detonated in the heat. | Neil Kendall who lives in a nearby caravan park described the noise as "deafening" and "constant" as the fireworks detonated in the heat. |
"There was a guy who had parked his van nearby and he had just come out of there," said Mr Kendall. | "There was a guy who had parked his van nearby and he had just come out of there," said Mr Kendall. |
"He said some of his colleagues were inside, buying fireworks, and he was concerned." | "He said some of his colleagues were inside, buying fireworks, and he was concerned." |
Searches resumed on Saturday morning at the unit. | Searches resumed on Saturday morning at the unit. |
Supt Ian Coxhead, of Staffordshire Police, said: "Sadly, our inquiries have placed both men at the scene when the fire started." | Supt Ian Coxhead, of Staffordshire Police, said: "Sadly, our inquiries have placed both men at the scene when the fire started." |
A 53-year-old man arrested over the fire has been released and is now considered a witness, police said. | A 53-year-old man arrested over the fire has been released and is now considered a witness, police said. |
Supt Coxhead warned that although a fingertip search was under way, it would take a long time for the cause of the fire to be established because of the instability of the building. | Supt Coxhead warned that although a fingertip search was under way, it would take a long time for the cause of the fire to be established because of the instability of the building. |