Two killed as UK fireworks factory explodes

Two firefighters in the UK were killed today when a fireworks factory exploded in flames.

The victims were among emergency services staff sent to deal with reports of a blaze at the Festival Fireworks factory in Shortgate, near Lewes, in East Sussex, this afternoon.

Eyewitnesses said the area was rocked by a series of blasts after the initial blaze.

The explosions sent debris flying through the air and caused nearby buildings to shake.

Five hours after the first emergency calls, fireworks could still be seen exploding from the wreckage.

A Sussex police coroner’s officer was at the scene tonight along with a police chaplain.

Lewes MP Norman Baker said: “It is a terrible event and I feel deeply sad for the families that have lost firefighters.

“It is always sad when someone dies, but particularly when they are serving other people and part of the emergency services and essentially putting their lives on the line for other people.”

The emergency services declared a major incident and casualties were taken to hospitals in Brighton and Eastbourne.

Janine Bell, of South East Coast Ambulance Service, said: “We have declared this as a major incident due to the seriousness of it.”

Mrs Bell said the situation “worsened” during the afternoon.

A total of 12 people needed hospital treatment.

Philip Thomas, of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, told Sky News that seven people had been admitted, two with serious injuries.

He said: “They are both in a serious condition, but are stable and under active treatment at the moment.

“One has had a blast injury, an injury to the chest, bleeding from the chest.

“We are aware that five of the injured are from the emergency services but I could not tell you which of the emergency services they are from.

“The other five people are all conscious and undergoing treatment for a variety of burns and limb injuries.

“None are in a serious condition but they will remain in hospital tonight.”

Mr Thomas added that the hospital remained on stand-by but did not expect any more casualties from the scene.

Eastbourne District General Hospital received five casualties from the scene, four of whom were later discharged.

A fifth casualty was expected to be kept in overnight but did not suffer life threatening injuries.