Firemen pay tribute after tragedy

There was a sombre atmosphere in the fire station as Bexhill members of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service came to terms with the news that two of their service colleagues had been killed in Sunday's fireworks factory explosion near Ringmer.

Though crews were called in from a wide area to assist with the major emergency, Bexhill firefighters were not called on to attend.

Bexhill police station sent three officers to assist at the scene. Fortunately, none were among 12 people injured in the blast.

The death of fire and rescue service photographer Brian Wembridge is being felt most at Bexhill.

A former firefighter, Brian, 63, had remained with the service as a civilian support officer.

He was a regular visitor to Bexhill fire station where he provided photographic coverage for its regular LIFE training courses for young people.

He had also turned out to provide a photographic record of many fires in the town.

Nine firefighters were injured.