Investigation into fireworks factory explosion may take two years (From The Argus)

Investigation into fireworks factory explosion may take two years

2:59pm Wednesday 13th December 2006

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The investigation into the Ringmer fireworks factory explosion which claimed the lives of two firefighters will be "full, thorough and transparent", the Government has promised.

The blaze at the Festival Fireworks depot at Shortgate, near Ringmer, on December 3, killed Geoffrey Wicker and Brian Wembridge and injured nine other firefighters, a police officer and two members of the public.

It is believed the investigation, being led by the police, fire service and the Health and Safety Executive, could take up to two years to complete.

This week the Government minister responsible for fire services, Angela Smith, pledged to visit the scene and said the investigation would be "full, thorough and transparent."

She said: "The purpose of any investigation is to find out what exactly happened and to learn from the results."

During a late-night Commons debate secured by Lewes MP Norman Baker, Ms Smith said the focus on the investigation would be "to establish the cause and all the events leading up to the fire and the reported explosion and to establish all the circumstances leading up to the deaths of Mr Wembridge and Mr Wicker and the injury of others."

Colleagues of the firefighters are still being offered counselling sessions to help them come to terms with the blaze, which Norman Baker described as "the worst tragedy of its kind in living memory in East Sussex".

Meanwhile businesses near the devastated factory fear trade is still being hit following the explosion.

Simon Tse, owner of the Wok Inn restaurant, had to evacuate customers when windows were blown in.

He said: "When the explosion happened it felt like a bomb going off. It left the restaurant badly damaged. The windows were blown in and plaster fell from the ceiling. Most of the tiles were blown off the roof.

"We worked very hard to clean the place up and reopened but bookings have been slow.

"There are roadblocks at the end of the road so our customers have to ask to be let through. I think it is putting people off.

"Obviously the police are doing an important job, we just want to assure people the area is safe and the restaurant is open for business."

Steve Costick, of Chandlers Building Supplies, said: "For people coming in from Lewes it is not really a problem but if they are coming from Heathfield there is a long diversion. We've noticed a small dip in trade. It's been quiet at times but we have signs up and our regular customers know we are open as usual.

"Everyone is trying as best they can to get back to normal life."

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