Firefighter dies in Atherstone on Stour blaze
A firefighter died and three others are missing after a fire in a warehouse in Atherstone on Stour, near Stratford upon Avon. More than 80 firefighters, ambulance crews and police were called to the vegetable warehouse in Warwickshire. The fire, on Atherstone Industrial Estate, is believed to have started just after 18.00hrs on Friday 2 November.
Fire crews from Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire and the
West Midlands were called to the fire, which they were tackling through
the night.
William Brown, Warwickshire County Council’s Chief Fire Officer, said:
"We are deeply shocked by tonight’s tragedy.
"Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of
our fire fighters.
"The fire service has a strong family tradition - it is a close bond
which allows us to do our work, often in difficult and sometimes in
dangerous circumstances.
"The fire fighters tonight were heroically doing their job.
"More than 80 fire fighters were in attendance and have been working
tirelessly into the early hours of the morning.
"Our thanks go to our colleagues in the emergency service, the police,
ambulance and of course our cross-boarder fire fighters, who have worked
with us and supported us through this terrible night."
In attendance were:
16 fire engines. 2 hydraulic pumps 2 high volume pumping units 3
water carriers 1 breathing apparatus unit
Chief Superintendent Mak Chishty of Warwickshire Police said: "A full
investigation into the cause of this fire has already begun and a full
examination of the scene by fire investigation officers and police
officers will take place later today.
"All fires are treated as suspicious until their cause has been
identified. Our thoughts are with our colleagues in the fire service
today and with the family and friends of the firefighter who has died
and those who are missing."
A search of the building for the missing firefighters will begin after
daylight.