Two killed after explosions destroy fireworks factory

"There was an almighty bang and the whole place shook and that was it. Each shed and each storage place has blown up as it has gone along." John Winter, brother of the factory's owner

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TWO firefighters were killed yesterday and at least ten people seriously injured after explosions destroyed a fireworks warehouse.

It is believed that a fire on the site set off a chain reaction of blasts with several reinforced concrete-and-steel storage buildings blown apart.

Eyewitnesses last night described the scene as resembling a bomb site.

Officials said both the dead men - aged 49 and 63 - were part-time volunteer firefighters. The eldest was a retired full-time firefighter. It is understood the victims had been battling the blaze in the fireworks factory and warehouse for about an hour before a huge explosion erupted.

Witnesses said the blast could be heard up to ten miles away and more than five hours later fireworks were still going off at the Festival Fireworks complex at Ringmer, near Lewes in Sussex.

As the fire was left to burn itself out, police said a full investigation would be launched.

Hospital officials confirmed that two other firefighters had been seriously injured. One, being treated for a blast injury, was in the intensive care unit of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. At least five others, including a police officer, suffered burns and other minor injuries, with five people also sent to Eastbourne District General Hospital. Four were later released.

Sussex Police last night evacuated families living near the rural site and set up a cordon a mile away from the scene.

The family-run firm imports and manufactures fireworks and has previously provided pyrotechnics for events including the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the millennium display alongside the River Thames and the Queen Mother's birthday celebrations.

John Winter, brother of the factory's owner, said a family home had been destroyed, with neighbouring properties also damaged by flying tiles and glass. He said the site was stocked with fireworks for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

He added: "There was an almighty bang and the whole place shook and that was it. Each shed and each storage place has blown up as it has gone along."

It is believed a team of employees were working a Sunday shift when the initial explosion happened, just before 2pm.

Eyewitnesses said the biggest explosions took place up to an hour after the fire was reported.

Richard Mitchell, 30, a roofer, watched from outside the nearby Anchor Inn pub. He said: "It was like a fireworks display with a fire in the middle of it. It was manic."

John Davies, of the Black Lion pub, in nearby Halland, said customers felt the building shake when the fireworks started exploding. He added: "The noise just kept getting louder and louder."

The explosion came almost one year after the Buncefield oil depot explosion, which occurred on 11 December.