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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Stafford fireworks blaze: Men who died named | Stafford fireworks blaze: Men who died named |
| (about 1 hour 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, who was a keen kickboxer, said: "We are all very proud of his sporting achievements and in everything else he did in life. | |
| "He was a fantastic son and brother and a terrific dad, we all miss him." | |
| Mr Staples, who had three children and a young grandson, was described by colleagues at Staffordshire County Council - where he worked in the highways department - as "one of the most respected, trusted and well-liked members of our staff, and a true gentleman." | |
| His family said they were shocked and devastated by his death, and called him a "devoted and much-loved" man whose favourite pastime was walking on Cannock Chase with his family. | |
| Witness to the fire, 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. |