25 replies to this topic

[Wyvern]

Im suprised i didnt hear anything either as i live in Plumpton which is also very near by and bought fireworks from them every year, Such a shame.

[The_Djinn]

Very sad to see this storey all over the news. Just another item that the media have turned into a negative for the industry.
I do tend to wonder why the firefighters even approached the area, I doubt that any of them are trained in dealing with explosives which at the end of the day is exactly what fireworks are. Some of the news comments like "they didnt expect an explosion or they would not have approached the area".. come on.. its a fireworks factory, loads of gunpowder and other chemical formulas packaged and designed to explode. I know from my own firefighter days that training did include a lot of science based information around chemicals, lots which react violently when comming in contact with water so hosing down would not have been that appropriate.
I know from conversations over the years that firecrews near to KF have been told that in the event of a fire they are not to approach but to cordon off the area and let it burn itself out... exactly what should have taken place at this incident.
Possibly this was the case, possibly the people that lost there lives were first on scene and disregarded both orders and there own safety to try and accertain if there was anyone at the site that needed assistance.
Hopefully.. but I doubt it, more information will become available that will answer some of these queries as well as to the inicial cause of this fire.

Edited by The_Djinn, 04 December 2006 - 10:58 PM.

[BrightStar]

It's hard to imagine anything worse for the families involved in the run up to Christmas - I'm sure everyone here wishes them well.

We will have to wait and see what really happened. There were apparently twenty Acetylene tanks on the site and from the news pictures there were LPG tanks as well. Perhaps this is the 'unanticipated hazard' the fire officers mentioned and part of the cause of the major explosion. The fireworks store itself looks to have done its job, giving an hour for everyone to get away, and then burning the fireworks progressively through the night.

[Richard H]

There are certainly lots of questions, and it will be interesting to see the answers. It is most regrettable that these firemen have died in any case. I cannot imagine how their families must be feeling right now. It is nice to see that the media are reporting this with the usual inaccuracies, and that the NCFS has jumped on the bandwagon already.

As usual I tend to refrain from speculation on these events, hearsay does little other than put wind in the sails of those who are determined to convolute these tragedies for their political gain.

[phildunford]

Presumably the press inaccuracy includes the fact that this was, I imagine, a store/magazine and not a fireworks factory? Can anyone confirm if this is the case?

[Richard H]

You are correct!

[samwinn]

It is extremely sad news indeed, to lose any emergency servicemen when they are on duty is always such a tragedy given the dedication they give to the community.
The ITV Local site has been updating coverage over the last 24 hours with news reports on the matter, if you wish to see any here they are:


Amateur Footage of the Fire:
http://www2.meridian.......&void=35444

Yesterday Morning Update:
http://www2.meridian.......&void=35533

Yesterday Lunchtime Update:
http://www2.meridian.......&void=35595

Yesterday Evening Update:
http://www2.meridian.......&void=35631

Advice on Firework Safety:
http://www2.meridian.......&void=35669

Hopefully some good will come from this so it never happens again and the 2 deaths weren't in vain, its such a sad tradegy.

[KNO3]

Hi, yes, I am also supprised that I didnt hear the bang, I live in ringmer! Different side though. People were phoneing me from Uckfield asking if I was ok, I was very confused untill they explained that they could see a mushroom cloud in my houses direction. Yes, I was up near there today, and I learned that they had just recieved a large container full of fireworks, and it was due to go out the next day for a display in Dubai aparently. Anyway, it was in the warehouse when something caused other fireworks held in the warehouse to go off, starting a fire, which heated up the container which eventually went bang (that was the big explosion). At which point firefighters were already on the scene, hense the tragic fatalities. It would be intereasting to find out what did start the initial fire, could it be something to do with it also beign a small steel works center? (hense the astetatine bottles).

Note: I do not know that this story is correct, but that is what I have been told by someone who knows the place, and people that work there.

Edited by KNO3, 09 December 2006 - 03:06 PM.

[pyrotrev]

An interesting twist to this sad tale ..... it seems the fire brigade/police down in the SE have been ringing round some explosives storage licence holders asking for info on locations of stores and NEQ therein. Could it be that the fire brigade approached because they didn't really know what was on the site? it will be interesting to see what comes out of the enquiry.

[samwinn]

More info on the accident & the debate that's going on:

http://www2.meridian.......&void=37000

[KNO3]

Due to the most likely cause of the fire (slowly emerging, people who have anything to do with the case will know, im not posting it on the web) the finger of blame will probably not be pointed at the fireworks industry. As the (eledged) cause of the fire was nothing to do with fireworks. Which is good, but this is an immensely strange story.

Thought I would just let you know, hopefully put some minds at rest.