New plans at fireworks blast site

The industrial site was devastated by the fire and explosion

The owners of a fireworks depot where two fire service workers died in an explosion have submitted rebuilding plans for the devastated site.

A planning application has been lodged with Lewes District Council by Festival fireworks UK Ltd, which runs the site at Marlie Farm, near Ringmer, Sussex.

A blast last December killed retained firefighter Geoff Wicker, 49, and fire service cameraman Brian Wembridge, 63.

It also destroyed units used to house fireworks and other buildings.

Brian Wembridge and Geoff Wicker died in the explosion

A fire in a warehouse caused the massive explosion, which sent fireworks shooting into the air and caused a huge mushroom cloud that could be seen for miles.

Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and the Health and Safety Executive are still investigating the fatal incident, on 3 December last year.

Jim Parrott, regional secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said of the planning application: "As long as the new buildings meet our standards for fire precautions, that's as much of a say as we'll have in it.

"Obviously we've got concerns that any lessons from the explosion can be learned," he added.

Martin Winter, the owner of Festival fireworks UK Ltd, was unavailable to comment on the plans.