As the inquest into the tragic deaths of four firefighters got underway last week, official sources were staying tight lipped about the course of the investigation into the fire at the vegetable packing warehouse in Atherstone-on-Stour.
But FSE has confirmed that police are investigating whether a new extension to the plant was being used, and whether this was prior to final building control approvals. The report, which first surfaced in the Sunday Times, also concerns a set of steel faced fire doors with a mineral wool core, which apparently were ordered from Eurobond Laminates by the previous owners of the warehouse but had not been installed. The plant was taken over by Wealmoor Athersone Limited in August this year.
The fire is believed to have broken out at around 6.00pm on Friday 2 November with workers evacuating the building. Earlier reports in the Sunday Times quoting a source close to investigation described the difficulties firefighters had in establishing both the seat of the fire and the dangerous condition of the building – due to the “huge amount” of black smoke. The source also said there was no evidence that firefighters went in believing immigrant workers might still be in the building.
Last week’s inquest opened with the formal identification of the bodies of the three firefighters who were found inside the building – Ashley Stephens, 20, John Averis 27, and Darren Yates-Badley, 24. DNA samples from relatives were used to help identify the bodies. A fourth firefighter, Ian Reid, 44, died in hospital. The inquest was adjourned pending the results of ongoing inquiries by Warwickshire Police, the fire and rescue service and the Health and Safety Executive.
Around 100 police officers are working on the investigation, with some having been drafted in from neighbouring forces, and Warwickshire Police estimate it will take several months due to the complexities involved.
Earlier this month, detective chief inspector Adrian McGee said he believed the forensic examination of the site would take several weeks or longer to complete. “We are making good progress in collecting statements from firefighters and factory employees but there is still a considerable amount of work to be completed at the site and this has to be done in a safe manner. We believe that this process will take a long time. We are grateful for the assistance we have received from witnesses so far and if there is anyone else who has information about the incident which they would like to talk to police about in confidence, we would urge them to contact us.”
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