Firefighter deaths: owner charged

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Martin Winter, 50, boss of East Sussex-based Alpha Fireworks Ltd, and his son Nathan Winter, 23, were each charged with two counts of manslaughter after being arrested in February. The two men have been bailed to appear at Lewes Magistrates' Court on June 18.

Retained firefighter Geoff Wicker, 49, died alongside support officer Brian Wembridge, 63, in the blast at the site at Marlie Farm near Lewes, East Sussex, on December 3 2006.

The family-run company, which was known at the time as Festival Fireworks UK Ltd, is one of the biggest firework importers in the UK and was responsible for the Millennium display along the River Thames and the Lord Mayor's Show in London.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "The company, now known as Alpha Fireworks Ltd, has been summonsed for breaches of the manufacture and storage of Explosive Regulations 2005."

Twelve other people were injured in the tragedy, including nine members of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, a Sussex Police sergeant and two members of the public.

The dead firemen, both long-serving stalwarts of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, were given full brigade honours at their funeral services attended by colleagues from across the UK.

Full inquests into their deaths have yet to be held as inquiries by Sussex Police and the Health and Safety Executive continue.

To mark the first anniversary of the tragedy, colleagues, including East Sussex chief fire officer Des Prichard, gathered outside fire service headquarters in Eastbourne where the union flag flew at half-mast.

Alpha Fireworks Ltd, which gained approval from Lewes District Council to rebuild on the site, closed as a mark of respect to the fallen firemen.