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Probe into fatal fireworks blaze Probe into fatal fireworks blaze
(about 3 hours later)
An investigation has begun into a blaze at a fireworks depot which killed two fire crew members on Sunday. An investigation has begun into a blaze at a fireworks depot which killed two fire crew members and left two more seriously ill in hospital.
At least 12 others - nine firefighters, a police sergeant and two members of the public - were injured in the fire near Lewes, East Sussex. One member of the public was also kept in hospital overnight after the fire and explosion near Lewes, East Sussex.
Emergency services rushed to Festival Fireworks at 1350 GMT. A 200-metre exclusion zone remains in place as police say the site is still dangerous. Chief Fire Officer Des Pritchard said it was still a "very difficult and dangerous scene" and a 200-metre exclusion zone remained in place.
One of the injured is critically ill with head injuries. Small fires are still burning and gas cyclinders have to be left to cool.
A total of nine firefighters, a police sergeant and two members of the public were injured in the fire at Festival Fireworks which broke out at 1350 GMT on Sunday.
One of the injured had critical head injuries.
Mr Pritchard said a number of buildings on the site were destroyed in an explosion and others severely damaged by the fire.
"There will be a thorough investigation this morning involving the police, fire and rescue service and Health and Safety Executive into the cause of the fire and the explosion," he said.
"This was a tragic incident where two of our firefighters lost their lives.
"We would like to offer our condolences and deepest sympathy to their families."
It was like a fireworks display with a fire in the middle of it Eye-witness Richard Mitchell
Lewes MP Norman Baker said: "We need to establish whether the licensing conditions were adhered to and, if they were, whether there needs to be some tightening of the way fireworks are held."
John McGhee from the Fire Brigades Union said it would be asking East Sussex Fire Authority whether proper plans were in place to deal with an incident at the factory.
Eye-witnesses reported seeing a huge mushroom cloud of smoke from several miles away and explosions of fireworks which sent debris through the air.Eye-witnesses reported seeing a huge mushroom cloud of smoke from several miles away and explosions of fireworks which sent debris through the air.
Loss
Sussex Police said the two men who died were a 49-year-old control room staff member who was also a retained fire officer and a 63-year-old retired fire officer who had been re-employed to provide support at incidents.Sussex Police said the two men who died were a 49-year-old control room staff member who was also a retained fire officer and a 63-year-old retired fire officer who had been re-employed to provide support at incidents.
Twelve ambulances, 10 fire engines, and an air ambulance attended the premises at the Broyle, near Halland.Twelve ambulances, 10 fire engines, and an air ambulance attended the premises at the Broyle, near Halland.
Lewes MP Norman Baker said: "It is always sad when someone dies, but particularly when they are serving other people and part of the emergency services and essentially putting their lives on the line for other people."
It was like a fireworks display with a fire in the middle of it Eye-witness Richard Mitchell
Jim Parrott, south-east region secretary for the Fire Brigades Union, said: "We are extremely sorry for the loss and feel for the families of the two firefighters.
"We will take every step to co-operate with the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service in their investigations."
'Colossal smoke'
John Winter, whose brother owns the depot at Marley Farm, in Shortgate, told BBC News 24 there had been "an almighty bang, and the place shook".John Winter, whose brother owns the depot at Marley Farm, in Shortgate, told BBC News 24 there had been "an almighty bang, and the place shook".
He said his brother and family had managed to get out of the building safely, but their house had burnt down.He said his brother and family had managed to get out of the building safely, but their house had burnt down.
Meanwhile, Jason Winter, nephew of the depot's owner, said the family's pets had died.Meanwhile, Jason Winter, nephew of the depot's owner, said the family's pets had died.
"They have lost everything, even down to their dog, their dog's in the house, the dog has died," he said."They have lost everything, even down to their dog, their dog's in the house, the dog has died," he said.
"They have lost the house, they have lost garages, offices, all the buildings, they've lost their vehicles, their lorries, they have even lost their guinea pigs.""They have lost the house, they have lost garages, offices, all the buildings, they've lost their vehicles, their lorries, they have even lost their guinea pigs."
Residents in the area have been evacuated to Ringmer Community College. Pieces of wood [were] falling, hissing into puddles around us, at which point we left pretty sharpish Eye-witness Claire Freeman She said there was "a colossal amount of smoke, and rockets going off", before a much larger explosion that shook her house.
Festival Fireworks are one of the UK's biggest firework importers in Britain and were behind the millennium display along London's River Thames. Residents in the area spent the night at Ringmer Community College.
Festival Fireworks is one of the UK's biggest firework importers and was behind the millennium display along London's River Thames.
It is understood the fireworks store is a concrete complex with steel doors.It is understood the fireworks store is a concrete complex with steel doors.
Gary Walsh from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze had been contained to one building.
Jo Hyne, who lives about 500m from the depot, said she heard a loud bang which she had thought at first was thunder.Jo Hyne, who lives about 500m from the depot, said she heard a loud bang which she had thought at first was thunder.
Pieces of wood [were] falling, hissing into puddles around us, at which point we left pretty sharpish Eye-witness Claire Freeman She said there was "a colossal amount of smoke, and rockets going off", before a much larger explosion that shook her house.
Another eye-witness, Richard Mitchell, watched the drama unfold from outside a pub in Lewes Road, Ringmer.Another eye-witness, Richard Mitchell, watched the drama unfold from outside a pub in Lewes Road, Ringmer.
"It was like a fireworks display with a fire in the middle of it," he said."It was like a fireworks display with a fire in the middle of it," he said.
Claire Freeman, from Ringmer, had been eating in the Wok Inn next door to the depot when the fire broke out.Claire Freeman, from Ringmer, had been eating in the Wok Inn next door to the depot when the fire broke out.
She said diners were evacuated to the car park at the time of the largest explosion.She said diners were evacuated to the car park at the time of the largest explosion.
She told the BBC news website: "Pieces of wood [were] falling, hissing into puddles around us, at which point we left pretty sharpish."She told the BBC news website: "Pieces of wood [were] falling, hissing into puddles around us, at which point we left pretty sharpish."
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