Pair face firework deaths charges

Two fire service staff were killed in the explosion in December 2006

A firework factory owner and his son have appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of two firefighters.

Martin Winter, 50, and Nathan Winter, 23, of Shortgate, near Lewes, did not enter pleas at the preliminary hearing at Lewes Crown Court, in East Sussex.

The men were granted bail until their next appearance on 3 September.

Geoffrey Wicker, 49, and Brian Wembridge, 63, both died while tackling a blaze at a firework depot in Sussex in 2006.

Twelve other people were injured in the explosions and blaze, at Festival Fireworks, near Ringmer, including nine firefighters and a police officer.

The company, now known as Alpha Fireworks Ltd, has been summonsed for breaches of the manufacture and storage of Explosive Regulations 2005.

Mr Wicker, a retained firefighter, and Mr Wembridge, a fire service cameraman, were both long-serving members of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

They received full brigade honours at their funeral services.