MoD warned prior to asbestos fire

Claims wait for MoD cancer family

Defence chiefs were warned a base in Shropshire was not safe prior to a fire which led to asbestos ash falling, documents show.

The papers, seen by the BBC's Inside Out, show safety measures were ruled out in 1977 - six years before the fire - on "operational grounds" and cost.

Ellen Paddock, 31, who lived near the Donington base, died in November from an asbestos-related disease.

The Ministry of Defence said it had "learned lessons" since the 1983 fire.

Ms Paddock, who was seven years old at the time of the fire, played in the ash believing it was snow.

An inquest held in April ruled she died accidentally due to exposure to the ash.

Ministry of Defence (MoD) documents show that it ruled out changes to its large storage depot which had been recommended by the Army Fire Service in September 1977.

The recommendations from the Army Fire Service would have meant the large depot would have been split into a series of compartments.

Instead, at a meeting between the fire service and MoD officials, they agreed on a "compromise solution" where the dividing of the depot would not take place.

Asbestos fell in the area after the fire in 1983

However, there would a "good patrol system", proper fire appliances would be available and there would be roof ventilations with automatic fire detection and smoke and heat detectors.

The report from the meeting records that fire advisors were "unhappy about the omission of compartmentation".

The MoD has said its "thoughts and sympathies" remain with Ms Paddock's family and friends.

A spokesman said it had now "learned lessons from this tragic accident".

The spokesman added: "The Ministry of Defence takes the health and safety of its staff and neighbours very seriously and considerable work has been put in to ensure that the risk of such an accident happening again is minimised.

"As this case is subject to ongoing civil proceedings, it is not appropriate to comment further at this time."

Ms Paddock's family will have their compensation case heard in the High Court next summer.

• Inside Out West Midlands is on BBC1 on Wednesday at 1930 BST