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| Funeral of warehouse firefighter | Funeral of warehouse firefighter |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of firefighters lined the streets of a Warwickshire village for the funeral of one of four firemen killed in a warehouse blaze. | Hundreds of firefighters lined the streets of a Warwickshire village for the funeral of one of four firemen killed in a warehouse blaze. |
| The body of John Averis, 27, was found five days after the fire at the factory in Atherstone-on-Stour, Warwickshire. | The body of John Averis, 27, was found five days after the fire at the factory in Atherstone-on-Stour, Warwickshire. |
| Mr Averis' coffin was carried on a fire engine to St Gregory's Church in the village of Tredington. | |
| Conducting the service, Venerable Dr Gordon Kuhrt said the tragedy shocked the community and the fire service. | Conducting the service, Venerable Dr Gordon Kuhrt said the tragedy shocked the community and the fire service. |
| Darren Yates-Badley, 24, and Ashley Stephens, 20, were also killed. Ian Reid, 44, died after being rescued. | Darren Yates-Badley, 24, and Ashley Stephens, 20, were also killed. Ian Reid, 44, died after being rescued. |
| Mr Averis is the first of the four men to be laid to rest following the fire on 2 November. | Mr Averis is the first of the four men to be laid to rest following the fire on 2 November. |
| Strong bonds | Strong bonds |
| More than 600 firefighters from around the UK, who had been given special permission to attend the service, lined the streets as the cortege arrived. | More than 600 firefighters from around the UK, who had been given special permission to attend the service, lined the streets as the cortege arrived. |
| The coffin was covered in a Union flag, covered by white flowers and yellow flowers, which made the shape of a firefighter's helmet. | |
| John Averis is the first firefighter to be laid to rest | John Averis is the first firefighter to be laid to rest |
| The coffin was given a salute by a senior officer from Warwickshire Fire Service before being carried into the church by pall-bearers, accompanied by members of Mr Averis' family. | The coffin was given a salute by a senior officer from Warwickshire Fire Service before being carried into the church by pall-bearers, accompanied by members of Mr Averis' family. |
| Dr Kuhrt told the congregation: "Members of the fire and rescue service risk their lives on behalf of the whole community and on this occasion young men died." | Dr Kuhrt told the congregation: "Members of the fire and rescue service risk their lives on behalf of the whole community and on this occasion young men died." |
| He added: "Members of the fire and rescue service work in close-knit teams with strong bonds of friendship forged in experiencing together that danger. | He added: "Members of the fire and rescue service work in close-knit teams with strong bonds of friendship forged in experiencing together that danger. |
| "To risk and to give one's life in the service and care of others is a very noble thing." | "To risk and to give one's life in the service and care of others is a very noble thing." |
| Mr Averis's brother Paul paid tribute to "Little John". He said he would never forget his brother's "cheeky smile" and how he "shouted at the TV when the rugby was on". | Mr Averis's brother Paul paid tribute to "Little John". He said he would never forget his brother's "cheeky smile" and how he "shouted at the TV when the rugby was on". |
| He added: "The strength and vigour when he shook your hand so hard it felt like it would fall out of the socket." | He added: "The strength and vigour when he shook your hand so hard it felt like it would fall out of the socket." |
| Hundreds of firefighters lined the route | Hundreds of firefighters lined the route |
| He also described his brother's commitment to the fire service. | He also described his brother's commitment to the fire service. |
| "When his bleeper went off he would be straight down the stairs," he said. | "When his bleeper went off he would be straight down the stairs," he said. |
| After the service, Mr Averis was buried at the church in a private ceremony attended by his family. | After the service, Mr Averis was buried at the church in a private ceremony attended by his family. |
| The funerals of Mr Averis's three colleagues will take place during December. | The funerals of Mr Averis's three colleagues will take place during December. |
| Investigations are continuing into the fire by Warwickshire Police, the Health and Safety Executive and the fire service. | Investigations are continuing into the fire by Warwickshire Police, the Health and Safety Executive and the fire service. |
| Forensic examinations at the scene are expected to take several weeks due to the size and condition of the building and the investigation itself is expected to last several months. | Forensic examinations at the scene are expected to take several weeks due to the size and condition of the building and the investigation itself is expected to last several months. |
| On Wednesday, police said Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service could face charges of corporate manslaughter over the deaths of the four. | On Wednesday, police said Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service could face charges of corporate manslaughter over the deaths of the four. |