Stafford factory fire trial: Fireworks 'weren't stored properly' before blaze
Explosives at a fireworks factory where two men perished had been stored ‘inadequately’, jurors have heard.
Evan Bale said he believed there was between 100kg and 250kg of fireworks at the SP Fireworks warehouse in Stafford where Simon Hiller and Stuart Staples died.
The prosecution expert witness said he would have expected the ‘spread of fire to be a lot slower’ if fireworks had been properly stored in packaging at the Baswich building.
Taking to the stand at Stafford Crown Court, he added: “Just having the fireworks there does not in itself explain the speed at which the fire spread through the building.
“The presence of the quantity of Hazard Type 3 fireworks contributed to the intensity of the fire.
“Adequate measures had not been taken to limit any fire.”
Owner of SP Fireworks Richard Pearson, who was also critically injured in the 2014 fire, denies two counts of manslaughter.
Prosecutors allege the 43-year-old, of Holyrood Close, Stafford, caused the deaths of the two Hednesford men by gross negligence by failing to take reasonable care in the storage and handling of explosives.
Giving evidence, Mr Bale said he did not find evidence fireworks were stored in pyromesh – packaging within a metal cage.
Mr Richard Furlong, defending Pearson, put it to the witness: “It’s right that fireworks don’t, generally, spontaneously ignite?”
Mr Bale replied: “True.”
The defence barrister went on to claim father-of-one Mr Hillier was grasping a modified rocket at the time of his death.
Mr Bale said: “I have no information to comment. I can’t comment at all.
“Carrying a firework around, I wouldn’t expect it to be susceptible to knocks and bangs.”
During the trial, the court was told fireworks stored at the Tilcon Avenue warehouse could have been up to 10 times more than permitted.
Van driver Jonathan Collins thought about £10,000-worth of fireworks were packed into the outlet before the two explosions on October 30.
Customer James Nicholls also recalled a visit to the ‘haphazard’ warehouse, which he claimed contained piles of boxes about 4ft high.
The trial continues.
