Force gets £3m towards fire probe

A memorial service will be held on Sunday

The Home Office will pay £3m towards the cost of investigating a warehouse fire which killed four Warwickshire firefighters, it has been revealed.

Ashley Stephens, 20, John Averis, 27, Darren Yates-Badley, 24, and Ian Reid, 44, died as a result of the fire in Atherstone-on-Stour on 2 November.

Warwickshire Police said this week that 42 officers were still working to establish the cause of the blaze.

The force applied for central funds and said the inquiry was set to cost £3.9m.

Warwickshire Police is conducting the investigation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

'Further bids'

So far 2,316 statements have been taken from staff employed at the fruit and vegetable packing warehouse, firefighters and ambulance staff.

The announcement that the Home Office was to contribute to the cost of the investigation was made at a Warwickshire Police Authority meeting on Wednesday, a police spokeswoman said.

Ian Francis, chairman of the authority, told members: "The Home Office has also indicated that the door is still open for further bids."

Police said the investigation was now largely focused on taking further statements.

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