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Fireworks blast site access hope Fireworks blast site access hope
(about 2 hours later)
Fire investigators are hoping to gain access to the scene of a fire and explosion at a fireworks depot in which two fire crew died.Fire investigators are hoping to gain access to the scene of a fire and explosion at a fireworks depot in which two fire crew died.
Officers have been unable to get close to the warehouse near Lewes in East Sussex because of fears up to 20 gas cylinders on the site could explode.Officers have been unable to get close to the warehouse near Lewes in East Sussex because of fears up to 20 gas cylinders on the site could explode.
The cause of the fire at Festival Fireworks on Sunday is still unknown.The cause of the fire at Festival Fireworks on Sunday is still unknown.
Of the 12 people injured only one remains in hospital, a 39-year-old man from Uckfield who was a passer-by.Of the 12 people injured only one remains in hospital, a 39-year-old man from Uckfield who was a passer-by.
He suffered chest injuries and has had facial surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. His son, aged 23, suffered minor cuts.He suffered chest injuries and has had facial surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. His son, aged 23, suffered minor cuts.
A police sergeant who was also injured has had surgery on his leg while two other firefighters, named as Mike Sweetman and Clive Widgery, have now been discharged from hospital.A police sergeant who was also injured has had surgery on his leg while two other firefighters, named as Mike Sweetman and Clive Widgery, have now been discharged from hospital.
One of the men who died was retired firefighter Brian Wembridge, 63, who had been re-employed by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service as a photographer and cameraman.One of the men who died was retired firefighter Brian Wembridge, 63, who had been re-employed by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service as a photographer and cameraman.
Both of the (dead fire crew members) worked tirelessly for others Colleague Roger Bradgate Both of them (the dead fire crew members) worked tirelessly for others Colleague Roger Bradgate
His pictures from fire scenes were regularly used by BBC South East Today and the news website.His pictures from fire scenes were regularly used by BBC South East Today and the news website.
Editor Quentin Smith paid tribute to Mr Wembridge.Editor Quentin Smith paid tribute to Mr Wembridge.
"Brian was a great friend of BBC South East," he said."Brian was a great friend of BBC South East," he said.
"He was a regular visitor to our newsroom and his professionalism and friendliness was tremendously valued. We are all shocked and saddened by his death and that of his colleague.""He was a regular visitor to our newsroom and his professionalism and friendliness was tremendously valued. We are all shocked and saddened by his death and that of his colleague."
The other man who died was 49-year-old control room staff member Geoff Wicker, who was also a retained firefighter.The other man who died was 49-year-old control room staff member Geoff Wicker, who was also a retained firefighter.
Both were based at Crowborough fire station and Roger Bradgate, a former sub-officer who worked with them for many years, said he was "devastated".Both were based at Crowborough fire station and Roger Bradgate, a former sub-officer who worked with them for many years, said he was "devastated".
"Both of them worked tirelessly for others on behalf of the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund and in their service with the brigade, caring for others all the time, " he said."Both of them worked tirelessly for others on behalf of the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund and in their service with the brigade, caring for others all the time, " he said.
Police and senior firefighters have promised a through investigation into the incident, which will also involve the Health and Safety Executive, and is expected to take many weeks.Police and senior firefighters have promised a through investigation into the incident, which will also involve the Health and Safety Executive, and is expected to take many weeks.
Tributes to the dead firefighters were laid at CrowboroughTributes to the dead firefighters were laid at Crowborough
One of the bodies is still to be recovered.One of the bodies is still to be recovered.
The fire crew members who died were among the first on the scene after the 999 call.The fire crew members who died were among the first on the scene after the 999 call.
Independent fire consultant Mick Massey said they could not have known an explosion was imminent.Independent fire consultant Mick Massey said they could not have known an explosion was imminent.
The expert, who served with London Fire Brigade for 30 years, said front-line crews would have assessed the risks at the scene.The expert, who served with London Fire Brigade for 30 years, said front-line crews would have assessed the risks at the scene.
The blast would have been caused by "something they didn't know about".The blast would have been caused by "something they didn't know about".
Aerial pictures revealed on Monday the full extent of the devastation at the site, which included a "steel fabrication facility" as well as the fireworks depot.Aerial pictures revealed on Monday the full extent of the devastation at the site, which included a "steel fabrication facility" as well as the fireworks depot.
Gutted buildings could be seen, including the remains of the home of owner of Festival Fireworks, Martin Winter.Gutted buildings could be seen, including the remains of the home of owner of Festival Fireworks, Martin Winter.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it had been "overwhelmed by the messages of kindness, support and empathy" it had received.East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it had been "overwhelmed by the messages of kindness, support and empathy" it had received.
Books of condolence are to be opened at town halls and fire stations across the county on Tuesday and a memorial fund to the two men who lost their lives set up.Books of condolence are to be opened at town halls and fire stations across the county on Tuesday and a memorial fund to the two men who lost their lives set up.