Lewes fireworks factory blast aftermath "like the Somme" fireman says (From The Argus)

Lewes fireworks factory blast aftermath "like the Somme" fireman says

2:27pm Monday 16th November 2009 in News

A firefighter told a court today the aftermath of a massive explosion at a fireworks factory near Lewes that killed two of his colleagues was what he imagined the Battle of the Somme to have been like.

Describing the blast which killed retained firefighter Geoff Wicker, 49, and support officer Brian Wembridge, 63, Steve Wells said he saw bodies scattered on the ground around him at Marlie Farm in Shortgate, near Lewes, East Sussex.

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

Prosecutors allege that Martin Winter, 52, the boss of Alpha Fireworks Ltd, 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.

Giving evidence at their trial at Lewes Crown Court today, Mr Wells described how he was talking to a fire investigation officer at the entrance to the site when there was "an almighty explosion" which pushed him down on one knee.

"Everything disappeared up in the air, I could see debris," he added.

Mr Wells, who escaped the incident uninjured, said he saw a police officer nearby with a "hole in his leg where some shrapnel had gone in," while he could hear cries of "help" from around the other side of a building.

He continued: "I came up to a small wall and I saw what I described as what I would imagine the Somme to have been like.

"There were numerous brown lumps lying on the floor all around the area which I later realised were firefighters in their uniforms.

"Nobody was standing up, everybody was just lying on the floor."

Mr Wells said he saw a dead body at his feet which he later learned to be that of Mr Wicker.

Mr Wembridge, who he believed was still alive, was rushed to a waiting ambulance by other firefighters.

The men were both long-serving members of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, the court heard.

Mr Wells, who was crew manager at Lewes fire station with more than 20 years service at the time, said he then came across three colleagues covered in blood, two of them with facial injuries, before everyone was evacuated from the area and a roll call was carried out.

Asked what state he was in by this time, Mr Wells said: "I was probably in shock really, I'd just seen two colleagues killed, both who I'd known for getting on towards all my career.

"From the noise of the explosion my hearing wasn't very good at the time. I could still hear it ringing in my ears for probably about 12 hours after."

Mr Wells said he did not know what had caused the explosion at the time.

His engine was the first to arrive at the site and he described how he was faced with "a lot of smoke and fireworks actuating everywhere, going sideways, in all directions".

On arrival he asked Nathan and Martin Winter to give him information about the possible hazards at the site.

Speaking of his conversation with Nathan, he said: "He expressed concern for a small metal container near the second gate. He actually said to me 'if the fire gets anywhere near this container I would advise you to run like f***."

Mr Wells said the wording of his warning had been imprinted on his memory ever since.

However when he spoke to Martin Winter he gave him the conflicting information that timber was in fact stored in the container.

With fireworks exploding all around him he said he decided to pay heed to Nathan's advice and ordered his colleagues to remove their engine from the yard, which incensed Martin Winter.

"I believe the word he used was we were 'cowards' for not taking the appliances in further to attack the fire," Mr Wells said.

During cross-examination Mr Wells admitted that as he was on his way to the incident he remarked to his colleagues: "Oh my God, it's the fireworks factory."

But he said that in his 20 years of service he had undergone "very little" training in tackling fires involving fireworks.

The Winters each deny two counts of manslaughter.

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