Factory Owner Accused of Gross Negligence after Firemen Die in Explosion
A fireworks factory owner has been accused of manslaughter after two firemen died in a major explosion that occurred at the factory in December 2006. The blast also resulted in injuries, and 20 people were injured.
The people who died were Fireman Geoff Wicker and support officer Brian Wembridge.
The blast took place at Festival Fireworks UK Ltd (now called Alpha Fireworks Ltd) based in East Sussex.
The factory is owned by one Martin Winter, who was accused of gross negligence as he was well aware of the fact that a metal container that was stored with fireworks could explode and kill many people in the event of a fire breaking out. Workers used the container to stack those fireworks that were to be exported in a few days.
According to eyewitness accounts, a fire suddenly broke out at the factory and soon engulfed the entire factory. The spread was quite sudden, as the factory contained fireworks, which are regarded to be highly combustible.
People from the fire department arrived at the scene and decided to evacuate the area. They were about to retreat, but many fire officers were still dangerously close to the fire site, and Mr Wembridge was one of them. He was filming the fire and the rescue operation and was accompanied by Mr Wicker.
Mr Wembridge’s camera had captured the crucial moments of the explosion. The film revealed that the blast was so strong that the metal doors of the container were blown apart by the impact.
The prosecution took place at Lewes Crown Court. Alpha Fireworks Ltd was accused of violating health and safety legislation. The owner’s son Nathan faces two charges of manslaughter. The jury will give its verdict next week.
According to defence lawyers, the company was not responsible for the deaths, because the fire fighters had not withdrawn from the area in spite of knowing that an explosion could occur at any moment.
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