Fireworks factory blaze: Two found dead after police search building
Two other men were still in hospital after suffering injuries in the fire
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Police have discovered the bodies of two men in the charred wreckage of a fireworks factory that went up in flames last night.
The remains were found almost 24 hours after an explosion saw the warehouse at Baswich Industrial Estate in Stafford engulfed in flames at around 5.15 pm yesterday, police said following a detailed search.
Meanwhile, one man in his 60s and another in his forties remained in University Hospital Staffordshire having suffered serious burns in the blaze which struck just a few hundred yards from 150 homes.
Last night, dramatic footage showed thick plumes of smoke and bursts of fireworks exploding from the factory - a scene described as “horrendous” by bystanders.
Specialist police teams and fire crews will continue their painstaking search operation in the unstable building off Tilcon Avenue tomorrow, police said.
A 53-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the incident has been released and is now being treated as a witness.
The victim’s families have been told and were being supported by specially trained officers.
Superintendent Ian Coxhead, of Staffordshire Police, said: “This is a tragic development in a rare and challenging incident, our sympathies go out to the families of those who have sadly lost their lives.
The SP Plastics industrial unit was used to store what police described as ”a significant volume of fireworks” but the council confirmed there have been “no safety issues”, and it had been licensed to sell fireworks for four years.
Staffordshire County Council also said: “Our trading standards team has registered the premises to sell fireworks for the last four years during the permitted weeks around the Bonfire and New Year periods.
"The team inspected the premises on October 16 this year and it met all safety requirements for the storage of fireworks."
Meanwhile, the police have said the estate will be cordoned off "for the foreseeable future" while its investigation and further searches continue.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments