Fatal fire at Atherstone-on-Stour - update
Saturday 3 November update 1.45pm
Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service has been shocked by the tragic events of last night at Atherstone-on-Stour.
The fire fighters are still working hard to extinguish the blaze and it is now coming under control.
Fire fighters have started the damping down exercise on the site, which is likely to continue overnight and through the following day.
The building remains unsafe to enter, which is hampering investigations and our critical searches until experts can gain access to the site.
Concerns are heightened hour by hour for the three fire fighters who are still missing.
Our worst fears may be realised but we will not give up our continued search for our missing colleagues.
The fire service management and the Fire Brigades Union have been in discussions on how they can assist in a thorough investigation surrounding the circumstances of the fire so that so that lessons can be learned and improvements made where necessary, locally and nationally.
Tom Conn, Secretary of Warwickshire Fire Brigades Union said:
“The Fire Brigades Union are obviously aware of the distress this has caused to the families of the fire fighters involved and our thoughts are with them.
“This incident brings to the fire the inherent dangers faced by our fire fighters in today’s modern climate.”
“Arrangements are being made to ensure that the Fire Brigades Union are fully involved in the investigation of the incident, with other investigators drawn from a wide range or stakeholders.”