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Warehouse fire victims remembered | Warehouse fire victims remembered |
(20 minutes later) | |
Hundreds of firefighters have attended a memorial service to remember four of their colleagues killed in a warehouse blaze in Warwickshire. | Hundreds of firefighters have attended a memorial service to remember four of their colleagues killed in a warehouse blaze in Warwickshire. |
Ashley Stephens, 20, John Averis, 27, Darren Yates-Badley, 24, and Ian Reid, 44, died as the result of the fire in Atherstone-on-Stour on 2 November. | Ashley Stephens, 20, John Averis, 27, Darren Yates-Badley, 24, and Ian Reid, 44, died as the result of the fire in Atherstone-on-Stour on 2 November. |
Mr Stephen's father, Paul, also a fireman, told the congregation he had "lost three good friends and a son". | Mr Stephen's father, Paul, also a fireman, told the congregation he had "lost three good friends and a son". |
About 1,400 people attended the service at Coventry Cathedral. | About 1,400 people attended the service at Coventry Cathedral. |
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued Warwickshire fire service with an improvement notice after the blaze. | The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued Warwickshire fire service with an improvement notice after the blaze. |
The service was conducted by the cathedral's Canon Adrian Daffern and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service's chaplain Canon David Capron. | The service was conducted by the cathedral's Canon Adrian Daffern and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service's chaplain Canon David Capron. |
'Never forgotten' | 'Never forgotten' |
It began with a procession bearing the standards of every fire and rescue service in the UK. | It began with a procession bearing the standards of every fire and rescue service in the UK. |
As the flag-bearers and clergy walked through the packed cathedral, the congregation sang Onward Christian Soldiers, a hymn chosen by the family of Ashley Stephens. | As the flag-bearers and clergy walked through the packed cathedral, the congregation sang Onward Christian Soldiers, a hymn chosen by the family of Ashley Stephens. |
Hymns for the service were also chosen by the other bereaved families. | Hymns for the service were also chosen by the other bereaved families. |
The four were trying to tackle a fire at a vegetable-packing plant | The four were trying to tackle a fire at a vegetable-packing plant |
Paul Stephens, watch manager with the Warwickshire fire service, also attended the warehouse fire. He told the congregation how on that night "my worst nightmare started to unfold". | Paul Stephens, watch manager with the Warwickshire fire service, also attended the warehouse fire. He told the congregation how on that night "my worst nightmare started to unfold". |
He said: "My last words to them: 'Be careful'." | |
He added: "Four heroes paid the ultimate sacrifice doing what they loved best - firefighting. | |
"You live on in our hearts forever and you will never be forgotten. God bless you." | |
Three of the firefighters died as they attempted to tackle the blaze in a vegetable warehouse. Mr Reid died in hospital after his body was dragged from the burning warehouse. | |
The bodies of the other men were given a guard of honour when they were taken out of the wreckage following an extensive search. | The bodies of the other men were given a guard of honour when they were taken out of the wreckage following an extensive search. |
Last week it was revealed that an investigation has found officers were not given enough information before attending the scene. | Last week it was revealed that an investigation has found officers were not given enough information before attending the scene. |
Warwickshire county fire officer, William Brown earlier described the remembrance service as "our final goodbye". | Warwickshire county fire officer, William Brown earlier described the remembrance service as "our final goodbye". |
He said: "It will allow us to collectively celebrate the lives of John, Ian, Ashley and Darren, all of whom were all very brave men dedicated to a job they loved." | He said: "It will allow us to collectively celebrate the lives of John, Ian, Ashley and Darren, all of whom were all very brave men dedicated to a job they loved." |