Silence in firefighters' memory

Four firefighters died in the blaze

A two-minute silence in memory of four firefighters who died following a warehouse fire has been held.

The blaze happened in Atherstone-on-Stour, Warwickshire, in November 2007.

The bodies of Ashley Stephens, 20, John Averis, 27, and Darren Yates-Badley, 24, were found days after the fire. Ian Reid, 44, died in hospital.

The silence was held at Alcester fire station where Mr Yates-Badley and Mr Stephens were based, at 1928 GMT, when crews were alerted to the fire.

Ian Reid was based at the Rugby and Stratford-upon-Avon fire stations, while John Averis was at Stratford.

'Getting easier'

A service was also held at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

Paul Stephens, father of Ashley Stephens, said it was difficult to move on due to the ongoing police investigation and inquests yet to be held.

"This second year, I feel it is getting easier but because we still have the ongoing investigation and the inquests pending it still makes it very difficult for us," he said.

A joint police and Health and Safety Executive investigation is continuing into the matter.

Warwickshire Police said the investigation had so far cost £4.1m.

Reports from forensic experts have been commissioned and computer programmes have created a three-dimensional plan of the warehouse, enabling the team to plot timelines of the fire and the actions of those involved.