Fireworks factory boss found guilty over firefighter deaths
December 14, 2009 by admin
Filed under News, News - National
A fireworks factory owner has been found guilty of the manslaughter of two firefighters killed in an explosion.
Geoff Wicker, 49, and Brian Wembridge, 63, were killed in the fire at Marlie Farm, in Shortgate, near Lewes, East Sussex, in December 2006.
Alpha Fireworks boss Martin Winter, 52, was convicted at Lewes Crown Court.
The jury will continue its deliberations on two charges of manslaughter faced by Winter’s son Nathan, 25, on Tuesday.
Company owner Martin Winter, 52, was “grossly negligent” as he knew an unlicensed metal container packed with fireworks could explode if a blaze broke out, the court heard.
As well as killing the two firemen, both long-serving members of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, the blast injured 20 others, mainly police and fire officers.
Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court, the company, now called Alpha Fireworks Ltd, was also found guilty of two counts of breaching health and safety legislation.
source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/8412747.stm
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East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
Open letter from Union Leaders in Guardian for the Save Vestas campaign
August 5, 2009 by admin
Filed under News, News - Local, News - National
An open letter from Union leaders was in the Guardian Newspaper, on Tuesday 4th August, for the Save Vestas Campaign:
Miliband should act to save Vestas
The Guardian, Tuesday 4 August 2009
We are seeking the urgent intervention of environment secretary Ed Miliband to save the Vestas wind turbine factory (Police asked to ensure the Vestas protesters receive enough food, 1 August). We know he is committed to promoting green energy, but people will find it difficult to understand that just as the government has recently set out its low-carbon transition plans to tackle climate change, England’s only large wind turbine manufacturing plant is scheduled to close. Ed Miliband has said he is committed to consulting people up until the Copenhagen climate change summit in December and that, in this context, “it isn’t just about world leaders, but about real people affected by huge changes who need to make their voices heard”. We would now urge him to listen to the voices of the Vestas workers. Here are 625 people who not only want to protect their jobs, but also protect England’s wind-power industry.
The loss of jobs at Vestas will not only have a devastating impact on the Isle of Wight, even more so at a time of recession, it will also mean an almost criminal loss of expertise and jobs that are vital to fighting climate change. We believe that with the political will, even at this late stage, there is still time to take positive action to explore all the options that are available to save the production of wind turbines at the site and secure jobs for the future.
Chris Baugh Deputy general secretary, PCS
Christine Blower General secretary, NUT
Brian Caton General secretary, POA
Bob Crow General secretary, RMT
Jeremy Dear General secretary, NUJ
Gerry Doherty General secretary, TSSA
Sally Hunt General secretary, UCU
Chris Kitchen General secretary, NUM
Michael Leahy General secretary, Community
Lesley Mercer Director of employment relations, CSP
Bob Monks General secretary, URTU
Gerry Morrissey General secretary, Bectu
John Smith General secretary, Musicians Union
Matt Wrack General secretary, FBU
Charles Ward General secretary, AEP
David Cockroft General secretary, ITF
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Firefighter dies and another seriously injured in Edinburgh pub fire
July 12, 2009 by admin
Filed under News, News - National
A firefighter has died while tackling a blaze in an Edinburgh pub.
More than 20 people, including a baby, had to be rescued from the multi-storey tenement block above the Balmoral in Dalry Road.
Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue (LBFR) said the firefighter died after a floor collapsed on the basement bar.
Another firefighter was taken to the Royal Edinburgh Infirmary with non-life threatening injuries. The blaze broke out shortly after midnight.
The fire service was alerted at 12.38am and officers arrived to find a “severe” fire raging in the bar.
source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8146354.stm
The condolences of the Isle of Wight branch of the FBU goes to the family of the deceased and his injured colleague.
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