Two die in UK fireworks factory blaze

An investigation is to begin into an explosion at a UK fireworks factory that killed two firefighters.

An investigation is to begin into an explosion at a UK fireworks factory that killed two firefighters.

The firefighters died as they fought a blaze at the Festival Fireworks company's storage depot near Lewes, East Sussex, yesterday.

Twelve more - nine fire service staff, two members of the public and a police sergeant - were injured in the blast. Fireworks continued to explode over the site for hours.

Two of the injured are badly hurt but are said to be in a stable condition.

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The dead men are a control room staff member (49) who was also a retained fire officer and a retired fire officer (63) who had been re-employed and provided support at incidents.

The fire is being left to burn because of fears acetylene gas canisters on the site may explode.

An electrical fault may have been responsible for the fire.

PA