Atherstone, UK: 1 LODD 3 FFs missing

[abaduck 123]

Date: 11/2/07

Time: 18:45 GMT

Location: Atherstone, UK

Departments: Warwickshire, Hereford and Worcester, and West Midlands Fire and Rescue Services

Description: Large vegetable warehouse fire, suspected arson

Links: Firefighter 'dies tackling blaze'

Writer: abaduck

From the BBC:

"A firefighter is reported to have died and three others are believed to be missing after a suspected arson attack at a warehouse in Warwickshire. Up to 100 firefighters and five ambulance crews were called to the vegetable warehouse in Atherstone on Stour, near Stratford upon Avon.

Police said they were treating the blaze as suspicious.

West Midlands Ambulance spokesman Murray McGregor said he understood "large parts" of the roof had collapsed and said the three firefighters who were unaccounted for had not been seen for several hours.

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said it "could be the worst night for the fire service in decades"."

From Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service:

"One fire fighter is in hospital with serious injuries and three fire fighters are officially missing following a serious fire at industrial premises on the Atherstone Industrial Estate, Atherstone on Stour, near Stratford upon Avon this evening, 2 November.

The fire service expect the fire to be brought under control shortly.

It has been a cross border operation between Warwickshire and Hereford

and Worcester and West Midlands Fire and Rescue Services involving:

sixteen fire appliances;

two hydraulic platforms, one from Coventry and one from Leamington Spa;

one high volume pumping unit delivering large capacities of water;

three water carriers from Leamington Spa, Evesham and Coleshill;

one breathing apparatus unit from Atherstone."