999 SERVICES KEPT AWAY ALL DAY

Emergency services stayed away from the immediate scene of the explosion all day on Monday because of the danger of further explosions.

This article is taken from reports published earlier on this site

Two personnel from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service died. One body is still to be recovered from the scene.

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This is believed to be the first on duty East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service fatalities since 1974.

It is thought that there are around 20 acetylene cylinders which need to cool for 24 hours.

The explosions on Sunday destroyed the fireworks factory and surrounding buildings on the small industrial estate in a rural area between Ringmer and Halland.

Equipment similar to that used by the Army bomb disposal units has been brought in.

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EOD, bomb disposal, aim to use a remote control video to study the cylinders on the site.

After the blaze broke out, firefighters from across the county converged on the scene. They made a considered judgement to stay close the fire.

Des Pritchard, the county's chief fire officer, said: 'The team made a judgement appropriate to the situation and would have carried out a thorough assessment before moving in closer.

'This was an escalating incident.

'The nature of a firefighter's job is that they occasionally will put themselves in a dangerous situation that perhaps the other emergency services would not.'

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He also described to a press conference in Ringmer how badly affected the service had been.

'This is a difficult time for all staff in the fire and rescue service.

'It is, of course, a very difficult time for the families who have lost loved ones.

'To lose two of our colleagues clearly has impacted on my officers who consider themselves to be as family.

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'Some of those who were on the scene at the time and had to assist in the recovery of their colleagues have been very traumatised.

'These are not faceless members of staff. I known the two people and this hurts me too,' he said.

Landlord of the Roebuck pub at Laughton, Paul Mundy, was one of the first at the scene.

This article is based on reports published earlier on this site

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He lives close to the factory in Shortgate Lane, Halland, and described his first sight of the incident as a plume of white smoke, 'followed pretty quickly by the first explosion and a series of bangs.'

He said: 'You knew it was something pretty big.'

He rang 999 on his mobile at exactly 1.50pm

Lisa Hulbert from Laughton Village Stores lives behind Laughton Manor. She heard the first bang and thought it was left over from firework night.

'Then I saw all this black smoke and realised was slightly more.

'We heard the next massive explosion and saw a mushroom cloud.

'Everyone round here knows the family.

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'They shop here, use the pub and take a lot of interest in village life.

'They've been running this business really well for more than 20 years and it's terrible to think they have lost everything '“ not just their factory but their livelihood as well.'

Ambulance crews from across the South East Coast area treated a total of 14 patients during the major incident in East Sussex.

This article is based on reports published yesterday on this site 5

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Following an initial call at 1.53pm to ambulance control in Lewes, ambulance crews from across Sussex, supported by colleagues from Kent and Surrey, were sent to the scene of the explosion at a firework factory on The Broyle at Ringmer.

The injured were all treated at the scene by paramedics, ambulance technicians and emergency care practitioners, and taken by ambulance into hospital.

Seven patients were taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, suffering from various injuries including lacerations and burns. One, an adult male, had suffered serious head and other injuries and was in a critical condition.

Five patients were also taken by ambulance to Eastbourne District General Hospital, suffering from various injuries. One adult male had suffered serious leg and other injuries.

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Paul Sutton, Chief Executive of South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECamb) said: 'Our thoughts tonight are of course, with the families of the deceased fire-fighters, as well as colleagues from the other emergency services who have been injured and affected by today's events.

'Our ambulance staff, in control, at the scene and across SECamb have worked tirelessly to provide the very best levels of care to all of our patients, and, as always, I commend them for their efforts.'

ROSALYN St Pierre, the LibDem county councillor for Ringmer and Lewes Bridge, said: 'I am absolutely devastated at this news.

This article is based on reports published yesterday on this site

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'My thoughts and deep sympathy go out to the families of these very brave people.'

'All the community that I represent are devastated by this tragedy '“ not least the Fire Service who have lost two brave officers.

'I know many of the local fire officers, many of whom do a wonderful job as retained firefighters.

'My sympathies and thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of those who have died or are injured.

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The Emergency Services and other organisations, like St John Ambulance, have worked tirelessly and under extremely difficult conditions.

'Local people in Ringmer have been incredibly supportive and I want to thank all those who have offered help and comfort.

'I'd also like to thank County Council social care staff who looked after residents at the Village Hall yesterday and I am sure will continue to be available to offer support if needed.

This is a very close knit local community and every one of us has been touched by this terrible event.

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'I am sure we will all work together to support those who have been affected in the days and weeks to come.'

Lewes MP Norman Baker said these were the first fire service deaths in England and Wales this year.

'Our thoughts and condolences go to the colleagues, family as friends,' he said.