Inquiry continues into fireworks factory blast

9:03pm Tuesday 9th October 2007

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Fire bosses are still looking into what happened at a explosion at a fireworks factory in which two firefighters were killed.

Earlier this week the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced it was lifting its ban on the storage of fireworks at the Marlie Farm site.

But East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said officers, along with a team from Sussex Police, were continuing a complex, detailed and wide-ranging investigation into the tragic events at the farm at Shortgate, near Lewes, in December last year.

A spokeswoman from the service said the investigation was independent of the decision by the HSE to stop the prohibition notice, which has attracted criticism from the Fire Brigades Union and neighbours who fear fireworks could now be traded from the site again before safety rules have been tightened to prevent a repeat disaster.

She said the safety of staff and communities was "paramount" and that the inquiry would be as detailed and thorough as possible.

Fire support officer Brian Wembridge, 63, and retained firefighter Geoff Wicker, 49, were killed when fireworks exploded as fire crews were tackling the blaze.

A further 12 people, including nine firefighters, a policeman and two members of the public, were also injured in the blast.