Wealmoor fire investigation could run until April

The police investigation into the fatal fire at the Wealmoor Atherstone fruit and vegetable packaging warehouse in Warwickshire could continue for at least another two months.

At a press conference last week, Warwickshire Police said forensic experts were preparing to re-enter the building at Atherstone-on-Stour, where four firefighters died tackling the blaze on 2 November 2007.

Due to the "fragile state" of the warehouse, no one has been allowed to enter the building to work since the bodies of the firefighters were recovered.

Around 30 tonnes of debris have been removed from the warehouse site for examination, but police said a further 230 tonnes would need to be recovered.

Police said the investigation was reaching an important stage because forensic recovery experts were close to where the bodies of the firefighters were recovered. This area, and the route the firefighters took, would be subject to "detailed forensic examination".

Structural engineers are shoring up the sides and roof of the building so that this examination can take place.

They are also constructing a special protective cage to safeguard investigators from any falling debris.

Chief superintendent Paul Mason-Brown, supervisor at the site, said this construction work would extend the search period by a further two weeks, but the result would provide a better opportunity to recover and examine material in situ.

"We are now looking at being on site until at least the end of March," he said.

Warwickshire Police have almost completed interviewing the firefighters and 57 warehouse staff who were on site when the fire broke out.

Sixty-five police officers are working on the investigation, including 20 from other police forces.

They have collated 1,744 exhibits and are also reviewing the 1,118 statements already taken. This will take up to three weeks, and "undoubtedly" result in further interviews taking place.

Detective superintendent Ken Lawrence said: "We will not be in any position to draw any conclusions for several months to come."

It is estimated that the full cost of the operation and police investigation will be £2m.

In the days following the fire, Wealmoor relocated the packaging of spring onions, green beans and peas from Atherstone to its Hayes or Greenford sites, or to competitors.

Supermarkets supplied by the firm, including Asda and Sainsbury's, said deliveries had not been affected.
Source: packagingnews