Firework factory fire near Ringmer

[The Clown of Pevensey Bay]

Mushroom clouds and falling debris, apparently. Anyone seen what's happening?

 

[Trish]

According to the factory owner's brother - the whole factory has "gone up". Two firemen have been seriously injured.

 

[Wilka]

Major fire at fireworks factory

A major fire has broken out at a fireworks factory in East Sussex.
Sussex Police said firefighters from the county were called to an industrial estate between Ringmer and Golden Cross at 1350 GMT.

A number of fire engines are at the scene, and witnesses have spoken of seeing smoke from several miles away.

Police have declared the fire a major incident and are evacuating the area. It is not known if there are any casualties. More details soon.

 

[Beach Hut]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/6204452.stm

 

[CP 0 3 BHA]

Running the story on New 24 and asking for pics. Sounds pretty major. I saw footage of a Durch fireworks factory going up a few months ago and the ferocity was astonishing.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I was driving into Lewes at about 2.10pm this afternoon and was overtaken in the Cuilfail tunnel by two fire appliances from Brighton heading off in the direction of Ringmer.

I heard the explosion when I got back home to Firle at about 2.50pm.

The fireworks establishment that I know isn't "between Ringmer and Golden Cross" (as reported by the BBC), but between Ringmer and Halland, near the Gliding Club.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

The fireworks establishment that I know isn't "between Ringmer and Golden Cross" (as reported by the BBC), but between Ringmer and Halland, near the Gliding Club.

That's the one. Martin Winter's place.

Latest from the BBC:-



Major fire at fireworks factory

A major fire has broken out at a fireworks factory in East Sussex.

Sussex Police said firefighters from the county were called to an industrial estate at Halland, between Lewes and Hailsham at 1350 GMT.

A number of fire engines are at the scene, and witnesses have spoken of seeing smoke from several miles away.

Police have declared the fire a major incident and are evacuating the area. According to reports, some people have been injured.

Six ambulances, 10 fire engines, and an air ambulance are at the scene.

John Winter, whose brother owns the factory, told BBC News 24 there had been "an almighty bang, and the place shook".

He said his brother and sons had managed to get out of the factory safely.

"The place is still burning, but no-one is doing anything," he said.

Tiles and windows had been blown into neighbouring houses, Mr Winter added.

 

[The Clown of Pevensey Bay]

The big question, of course, is "What is this going to mean for Rocket Man?"

 

[Giant Seagull]

Is this it?

 

[Bry Nylon]

A major fire has broken out at a fireworks factory in East Sussex. Sussex Police said firefighters from the county were called to an industrial estate at Halland, between Lewes and Hailsham at 1350 GMT. A number of fire engines are at the scene

Good luck boys and girls

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Is this it?

Nearly.

Other side of the road, to the northeast.

 

[The Clown of Pevensey Bay]

One news agency says a firefighter has died. This hasn't been confirmed, though.

 

[Lady Bracknell]

I was walking the dog out in the fields where there's pretty much nothing between us and Ringmer and I noticed a deal of black smoke from that neck of the woods. This was followed by the most almighty explosion which sent a distinct tremor that could be felt through the earth despite us being several miles away.

Oddly enough, given that what's stored in that particular factory, the explosion produced absolutely nothing of a fireworky nature.

 

[Beach Hut]

Latest picture from BBC:

 

[Lady Bracknell]

Have to say it didn't look quite that excitingly nuclear from here. Otherwise I'd have gone home and got the camera.

 

[The Clown of Pevensey Bay]

The same news agency says two firefighters have died and that "the death toll is expected to rise". Still no confirmation.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

The company's website is here

 

[Springal]

The factory's website is here

if i place an order on their site today am i likely to get them in time for xmas?

Or is it worth waiting to see if there will be smoke damage sale on soon

 

[Lady Bracknell]

There's probably lots of smoke-damaged stock on sale.But how many miles are you prepared to travel to pick up the bits? Only I suspect most of what was in there has been literally, cast to the winds.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

if i place an order on their site today am i likely to get them in time for xmas?

Or is it worth waiting to see if there will be smoke damage sale on soon

I think some of them have been dispatched early.

Personally, I'd use Parcel Force. But they can be a bit slow at this time of year.