One Missing After Blaze At Fireworks Factory

 

One person remains missing after an explosion sparked a large blaze at a fireworks factory in Staffordshire.

A specialist team will search the SP Fireworks premises today in the wake of the fire, which also saw two people taken to the major trauma centre at University Hospital North Staffordshire.
Search and rescue workers will begin their operation after the premises is deemed to be safe to enter, a spokesman for the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
"The search and rescue team will make an assessment as to the safety of the building, and a search of the premises will take place in daylight hours," the spokesman said.
Worried residents reported hearing a loud bang and seeing smoke coming from the premises in Tilcon Avenue, Stafford, on Thursday evening.

 

Video: Witness Tells Of Fireworks Blast

The fire service said the blaze "escalated" at one point, before later being brought under control.
Some 50 firefighters, eight engines and four specialist appliances were called to the scene. There was "significant damage" to the building caused by the fire.
One man aged in his 40s was treated for serious burns, while another in his 60s had a back injury and suffered smoke inhalation.
Two women - one in her 40s, the other in her 50s - were assessed for smoke inhalation.
Police said a cordon was put in place around the factory to protect the public, and residents in the Baswich area were urged to remain indoors.
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: "On Friday we will continue to investigate this incident and work to ensure everyone is accounted for.
"Sadly at this stage we believe there is a person unaccounted for and our focus remains tracing those at the factory shortly before the explosion.
"A joint investigation into the incident is already under way, which will work to establish the cause and circumstances immediately before the fire."