Court hears of aftermath of Lewes firework factory explosion (From The Argus)

Court hears of aftermath of Lewes firework factory explosion

12:25pm Friday 13th November 2009

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A police officer described to a court today the chaotic aftermath following a massive explosion at a fireworks factory which killed two firemen.

PC Dave Upjohn, of Sussex Police, said he was knocked off his feet by the blast at Marlie Farm in Shortgate, near Lewes.

A metal container packed with fireworks exploded at the site on December 3, 2006, causing fragments to fly and injuring some 20 people, mainly police and fire officers.

The blast killed retained firefighter Geoff Wicker, 49, and support officer Brian Wembridge, 63, who were both long-serving members of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

Today PC Upjohn told Lewes Crown Court that he was patrolling in Hastings when he was tasked to travel 30 miles to help traffic and man a cordon as flames tore through the fireworks factory.

He told the jury of nine women and three men: "There was a large shockwave that came across and which caused me to step backwards.

"I was already slightly unsteady on my feet when it was followed up by a loud explosion.

"The next thing I remember was the debris going up in the air... fireworks, smoke - almost like a mushroom cloud.

"It was fairly frantic. I believe a telephone pole came out of the explosion and landed just a few feet in front of us. I was knocked back but I don't recall going down.

"It all happened very, very quickly."

Asked by junior prosecuting counsel Gaby Henty about the scene, PC Upjohn said: "It was chaos. Looking up, I was aware there were firefighters trying to fight the fire.

"They were very close to the explosion and I knew there were casualties. There was a lot of damage to the vehicles and there was debris flying around.

"We tried to assist the injured. Firefighters were coming out and they were dragging their injured colleagues out. They were all in a state of shock and I just tried to help as I could."

PC Upjohn told the court that he spoke to a fire officer at the Festival Fireworks UK Ltd site but he was in a "state of shock".

Prosecutors allege that company boss Martin Winter, 52, and his son and employee Nathan Winter, 25, were aware of the hazards posed by storing fireworks in a metal container which was not authorised by their licence.

It is claimed that the Winters were both familiar with the different hazard classifications given to fireworks and their potential for mass explosion in a confined steel container.

It is also alleged that both men were familiar with the licence and its obligations about how and what could be stored and how fireworks should be handled.

The Crown claims that, nevertheless, the container was still "packed" with fireworks, including those which posed a risk of mass explosion.

The Winters each deny two counts of manslaughter.

Jurors have heard that they could not be considered responsible for the two deaths as it was the duty of fire officers at the scene to have been aware of the dangers of a blaze involving fireworks and to have taken the necessary precautions.

Not guilty pleas have also been entered on behalf of the company, now called Alpha Fireworks Ltd, which faces two counts of breaching health and safety legislation.

The case was adjourned until 10.15am on Monday.

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