Warwickshire News Mine

Despite the search going on for three of the firefighters - missing since Friday following a tragedy at a warehouse at Atherstone on Stour - the families have agreed that their loved ones should be named and recognised.

Ian Reid, aged 44, was killed in the incident, while his three colleagues Darren Yates-Badley, aged 24; Ashley Stephens, aged 20; and John Averis, aged 27, are all still missing and part of a massive search operation.

Ian Reid has worked as a firefighter in Warwickshire for the past four years, based at Rugby and Stratford stations. He joined Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service in February, 2003, and was promoted to Watch Manager in 2005.

John Averis was based at Stratford Fire Station, and had joined the service three years earlier in March 2004.

Ashley Stephens was a firefighter based at Alcester Fire Station, and his fiancee, Emma Crocker, his mother Sharon and his father Paul today paid tribute to him.

They said: "Ashley was a wonderful loving father, fiancee, son and brother and he will always be in our hearts. He adored his family and his football and was an ardent Manchester United follower. He lived his life for his family, especially his fiancee Emma and three month old son George."

Darren Yates-Badley was also based at Alcester Fire Station and his wife Fay, mother Mandy Baylis and his father Stephen Baylis, today paid tribute.

They said: "Darren was a larger than life character and would speak to, and help, anyone he met. Darren treated everyone equally and with the same kindness. We would like to thank everyone for their tributes, which have been great comfort. We didn’t realise the impact that Darren had on other people’s lives and he is our hero."

Warwickshire’s Chief Fire Officer William Brown has described all the men as heroes as the search goes on tonight for the three missing men.

He said: "Our work involves us in often difficult and sometimes highly dangerous call-outs. These professional men were doing their job of controlling a raging fire - with a tragic outcome - but their actions remain those of heroes. Men who save lives and properties.

"Our hearts and minds are with the family and friends of these local men. The impact of their loss on the community is unimaginable. The grieving has only just begun and will take a long time for us to recover and understand what has happened here."

All of the families have today asked that the media respect their privacy and allow them to come to terms with the tragic event.

Link to WCC