Inquest opens
An inquest into the deaths of Warwickshire's four firefighters was opened in Stratford on Tuesday 20 November.
Atherstone on Stour fire - the inquests were opened and adjourned.
Ian Reid, 44, John Averis, 27, Darren Yates Badley, 24, and Ashley Stephens, 20, died on Friday November 2 whilst fighting a fire at a warehouse in Atherstone on Stour.
Warwickshire coroner Michael Coker read statements from all four families paying tribute to their loved ones.
In her statement Mr Reid’s widow, Julie, described her husband as "the perfect husband" who was "very compassionate and caring about everyone, particularly those less fortunate than himself".
He was "very much a family man and he treasured his time with our daughter Sophie" she said.
Mr Reid became a retained firefighter at Stratford in 2003. Earlier this year he left his job at the tax office to become a whole time firefighter in Rugby, though continued his retained role at Stratford.
Kathleen Averis said of her son: "John was a popular, hard working, conscientious man with a cheeky, mischievous side. People couldn’t help but warm to him. He lived life to the full."
Mr Averis trained as a herdsman but his career was cut short by the foot and mouth outbreak in 1999 and he became a fork lift truck driver and warehouseman.
He had always wanted to be a firefighter and joined the retained crew at Stratford about three and a half years ago.
Mandy Baylis, mother of Darren Yates Badley described her son as "a larger than life character, always with a smile and always willing to help anyone."
She continued: "I do not want people to be sad when they remember Darren. He was a hero and that is how I will always remember him. Darren died doing something he loved and I, as well as everyone who knew Darren, will love him forever."
Paul Stephens said his son Ashley was "a tremendous young man" loved by everyone who knew him.
After leaving Alcester High School he trained as a carpenter/joiner at Moreton Morrell and worked for a local company.
He became a retained firefighter when he was 18, following in his father’s footsteps, and was proud of his achievement.
Mr Coker told the families that they should be proud of their "gallant" loved ones and said: "Firefighting in an ordinary fire is a dangerous task and bravery is required to go into the circumstances that happen day by day.
"Every one of you can be proud, as I know you are, of the young men who are prepared to undertake that for the people of Warwickshire."
The inquest has been adjourned pending further investigation.