Firework factory blast damage cost revealed

East Sussex Fire Authority has been able to recoup nearly 1.6 million from insurers, and although it has used its financial reserves to cover the shortfall, tax-payers will ultimately have to foot the bill.

On December 3 2006 fire service photographer Brian Wembridge, 63, and retained firefighter Geoff Wicker, 49, died following an explosion while tackling the blaze at Festival Fireworks at Shortgate near Ringmer.

Insurance company Zurich wrote off all the engines and equipment in the blast zone and made a final settlement of 1,597,312.

Mike Murphy, chairman of the East Sussex Fire Authority, said despite the huge costs of the fire people living in East Sussex had continued to receive a full service. However taxpayers would have to shoulder the extra expenses.

He said: 'Everything we spend is passed onto the taxpayer.

'We asked the Government to help us with the costs of Marlie Farm but they declined and said it is something for the East Sussex Fire Authority to deal with.

'The resilience of our staff has meant there has been no negative effects on our service and by the end of the year we will be up to scratch in terms of vehicles and equipment.'

The total cost of the Marlie Farm incident is even higher because in addition to manpower hours lost due to injury sickness and stress, the fire authority has also had to pay out for leased equipment which was destroyed.

It is understood the fire has severely affected staff levels with the service, with a significant number of firefighters on long-term sick leave because of their traumatic experiences.