Fire service may face death charges

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Ian Reid, 44, Darren Yates-Badley, 24, John Averis, 27, and Ashley Stephens, 20, all lost their lives after entering the burning vegetable packing warehouse on November 2.

It is not yet known why the men were instructed to enter the building.

Police have spent almost four weeks searching the burnt-out site in Atherstone on Stour, Warwickshire, and are treating the fire as suspicious.

Asked whether the Fire Service would face charges, Detective Superintendent Ken Lawrence of Warwickshire Police, said: "It is possible. We are exploring every single possibility and ruling nothing out."

He added that the "meticulous" search of the site had so far provided no clues about the cause of the fire.

He said: "I still don't know what started it. I am erring on the side of caution, treating it as if it was arson, but clearly I would add that I am open-minded about that."

At the time of the fire locals spoke of migrant workers sleeping in the warehouse, but this was not the case on the night of the tragic blaze, Mr Lawrence said.

He added: "Anecdotally I understand that that had happened on occasion but there is no evidence that is what happened that night."

Searches continue at the warehouse but it is set to be a lengthy project. Mr Lawrence said: "The investigation is a massive task. It is very complex and far reaching. It will be several months before we have an accurate picture of what actually took place on November 2."