Death fire inquiry to cost £3.9m

The deaths of the men shocked the fire service and community

An investigation into a warehouse fire which killed four firemen last November is expected to cost £3.9m.

Forty-two police officers are still working to establish how the fire in Atherstone-on-Stour began.

Ashley Stephens, 20, John Averis, 27, Darren Yates-Badley, 24, and Ian Reid, 44, died as a result of the blaze.

Warwickshire Police have applied to the Home Office for funds to cover the cost of the operation they are conducting with the Health and Safety Executive.

Det Spt Ken Lawrence, who is leading the investigation said: "This is an enormous undertaking, from the examination of the warehouse scene, to identifying and interviewing all the relevant witnesses.

"It is of paramount importance that we establish both the truth and accuracy of what happened on the 2 November last year, along with any learning for the safety of fire fighters in the future."

Further statements

So far 2316 statements have been taken from staff employed at the fruit and vegetable packing warehouse, firefighters and ambulance staff.

A memorial service will be held a year on from the fire

Warwickshire Police said the investigation was now largely focused on taking further statements "to clarify information collected in some of the initial statements".

Many staff employed at the warehouse came from overseas and 11 different languages were spoken by the employees.

Some former workers have also since travelled around the country in search of work. Police said these factors had made taking statements a "lengthy and complex business".

As part of the investigation, 450 tonnes of material was removed by the forensic experts and 3,775 exhibits collated.

Last month it was revealed that the Warwickshire Firefighters Families Fund, set up to help the families of the four victims, had raised nearly £1m.

A memorial service will take place on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the incident.