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04/12/2006
Firefighter killed in firework factory blaze named
One of the firefighters who was killed in a blaze at a fireworks factory has been named.
Brian Wembridge, 63, was a retired firefighter who was currently working as a support officer and photographer for East Sussex fire and rescue services. He is believed to have been one of the first people at the scene of the blaze at the Festival Fireworks factory near Lewes in East Sussex, which broke out on Sunday afternoon.
Another firefighter was also killed in the blaze. He is understood to be a 49-year-old control room staff member who was also a retained firefighter.
Twelve people, including nine firefighters, a police officers and two members of the public were injured in the blaze. Two other fire crew members remain in hospital seriously ill, while a member of the public is also still being treated in hospital.
The explosion at the factory was so large that people living 12 miles away heard it.
It is understood that the family that owned the factory were in their home at the site. They managed to escape unhurt, but their home burnt down.
Fireworks continued to explode over the site for hours after the fire broke out. A cordon remains in place around the site and emergency crews said that it was still to dangerous to enter on Monday.
The fire was left to burn out because there are gas cylinders on the site which are in danger of exploding.
An investigation into the blaze has now been launched. The cause of the fire is unknown. The factory's owners said that strict safety protocols had been followed and said that they would cooperate with the investigation.
(KMcA)
Brian Wembridge, 63, was a retired firefighter who was currently working as a support officer and photographer for East Sussex fire and rescue services. He is believed to have been one of the first people at the scene of the blaze at the Festival Fireworks factory near Lewes in East Sussex, which broke out on Sunday afternoon.
Another firefighter was also killed in the blaze. He is understood to be a 49-year-old control room staff member who was also a retained firefighter.
Twelve people, including nine firefighters, a police officers and two members of the public were injured in the blaze. Two other fire crew members remain in hospital seriously ill, while a member of the public is also still being treated in hospital.
The explosion at the factory was so large that people living 12 miles away heard it.
It is understood that the family that owned the factory were in their home at the site. They managed to escape unhurt, but their home burnt down.
Fireworks continued to explode over the site for hours after the fire broke out. A cordon remains in place around the site and emergency crews said that it was still to dangerous to enter on Monday.
The fire was left to burn out because there are gas cylinders on the site which are in danger of exploding.
An investigation into the blaze has now been launched. The cause of the fire is unknown. The factory's owners said that strict safety protocols had been followed and said that they would cooperate with the investigation.
(KMcA)
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