By Danielle Dwyer
Birmingham Post 

Photo Warwickshire County Council Clockwise from top left: Darren Yates-Badley, Ashley Stevens, Ian Reid and John Averis.

WARWICKSHIRE, England — Hundreds of firefighters formed a guard of honour last night as the bodies of three of their colleagues were retrieved from a burnt-out warehouse.

Two hundred firefighters paid the tribute at the vegetable packing warehouse in Atherstone on Stour, where four firefighters died on Friday after a huge blaze broke out at the plant in Warwickshire.

A Warwickshire Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have retrieved three people from the premises in the last few hours."

Ian Reid, 44, was pulled out of the blaze, on Friday, but died later in hospital.

His three colleagues, Darren Yates-Badley, 24, Ashley Stephens, 20, and John Averis, 27, were trapped inside the warehouse as rescue crews battled to douse the flames.

Up to 200 people were involved in the search operation and 140 police personnel are working on the investigation.

Glen Ranger, deputy county fire officer from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, said fire crews were determined to return the missing firefighters to their families.

Their bodies were eventually found by teams from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue service in a dangerous metre-by-metre search of the shell of the building.

Warwickshire Chief Superintendent Ken Lawrence, leading the police investigation, said a special incident room had been set up at Warwick Police Station dedicated to the investigation. The blaze is still being treated as suspicious.

Up to 200 firefighters who attended the incident of Friday night will be questioned, he said. A total of 160 warehouse employees have already been spoken to.

Tributes to the four firefighters poured in yesterday after an online book of condolences was opened.

Well-wishers from across the globe posted messages of sympathy and support on the site, set up by Warwickshire County Council following the tragedy in Atherstone On Stour.

Many firefighters at different stations around the UK offered assistance with the ongoing search operation. Others expressed a wish to attend the funerals of the firefighters.

The book is open for all to sign at warwickshire .gov.uk/fireandrescue.

A fund has also been established for those wishing to make a contribution towards a memorial. The Warwickshire Firefighters Families Fund will also help the families of the four firefighters.

In the Commons, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "sure the whole House will wish to send our condolences to the families and friends of the four firemen". 

Copyright 2007 Midland Independent Newspapers plc
All Rights Reserved