Families pay tribute to two men killed in firework factory blaze

The family of Stewart Staples, one of two men believed to have died in a fire at a fireworks warehouse in Stafford, said they are "totally shocked and devastated" at the loss of the "devoted and much loved family man".

The family of Simon Hillier, the second man believed to have died in the blaze at the SP Plastics industrial unit, said they are "resigned to the fact that we will not see Simon again" and will "miss him dearly".

Detectives investigating a fatal fire at a firework factory in Stafford have released the names of those who are believed to have died in the blaze.

41-year-old Simon Hillier, of Mountside Street, Hednesford, and Stewart Staples, 57, of Bond Way, Hednesford.

Although formal identification isn't likely to be confirmed for some weeks, evidence gathered places both of the men at the scene when the explosion happened.

Police and fire officers will resume searches again later today at a fire-damaged fireworks warehouse in Stafford after the discovery of two bodies at the site, in a bid to locate the two people still unaccounted for.

More: Man in critical condition after fireworks factory blaze

Investigations are continuing into the cause of a fatal fire at a fireworks factory in Stafford.

The bodies of two men were found in the wreckage of the warehouse by emergency service today. A third man remains in a critical condition in hospital following the blaze on Thursday.

A 53-year-old man arrested in connection with the fire has been released with no further action and is now being treated as a witness.

ITV News' Midlands reporter Ben Chapman reports:

A man remains in a critical condition in hospital following a fireworks factory blaze which claimed the lives of two men.

The man suffered serious burns in the blaze at SP Fireworks in Stafford. A second man who was taken to hospital is now recovering at home, Staffordshire Police said.

It comes as the force confirmed the bodies of two men were discovered in the wreckage of the blaze today.

Supt Ian Coxhead, from Staffordshire Police, said: “This is a tragic development in a rare and challenging incident, our sympathies go out to the families of those who have sadly lost their lives."

Officers remain at the scene of the blaze, which will remain cordoned off while work to establish the cause of the fire continues, a force spokesman said.

The bodies of two men have been discovered at the scene of a blaze at a fireworks factory in Stafford, Staffordshire Police said.

A 53-year-old man arrested in connection with the fire at SP Fireworks on Tilcon Avenue in Stafford on Thursday has been released and is now being treated as a witness.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated. Two people were taken to hospital following the blaze. One victim is in a stable condition, but the other is more seriously hurt.

A factory which was hit by a blaze met all safety requirements for the storage of fireworks, the local council has said.

SP Fireworks in Stafford had been registered to sell fireworks for the last four years during which there had been no safety issues, Staffordshire County Council said.

Trading standards inspected the premises on Tilcon Avenue last month and it met all safety requirements for the storage of fireworks.

A 53-year-old has been arrested in connection with the blaze, the cause of which is still being investigated. Two people remain unaccounted for while two men were taken to hospital.

Smoke could still be seen billowing from a fireworks factory which caught fire last night.

Firefighters were on the scene in Stafford to put out the last flames and assess damage to the building.

Two people remain unaccounted for since the fire took hold at 5.15pm on Thursday.

The investigation into a fire at a fireworks factory in Stafford is 'challenging' because the entire storage unit has been destroyed by the explosion, according to police.

Firefighters and police officers are spending the day recovering any potential evidence from the area around SP Fireworks on Tilcon Avenue.

Last night, two people were hospitalised when a major fire ripped through the factory premises. One victim is in a stable condition, but the other is more seriously hurt.

Police have said they are hoping to reopen Tilcon Avenue to those businesses who have premises on the road and to drivers who need to move their cars in the coming hours.

Baswich Lane has reopened to traffic, but drivers there are experiencing serious delays because of investigation work being carried out by emergency services.

A 53-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a blaze at a fireworks warehouse, Staffordshire police said.

Police also said that they now believe two people rather than one remain unaccounted for as the investigation continues today.