Workers tell of 'devastation'

With smoke still rising from the warehouse, and debris littering the land for miles around, emergency workers today told of the "devastating" scene that unfolded in Warwickshire last night, writes

at the scene.

See also: Fatal warehouse blaze photos

At its height, the blaze at Bomfords warehouse was being tackled by more than 80 firefighters.

This morning, as their colleagues dampened down the charred remains of the building, solitary firefighters looked on, reflecting on the night that claimed four of their own.

Emergency workers were called to the scene at teatime last night. Staff, including engineers and packers, were still in the warehouse when the fire broke out.

One police officer at the scene this morning, who did not wish to be named, said: "I was told one of the engineers tried to put out the fire himself. Bomfords are confident that everyone escaped safely.

"The flames were at a phenomenal height. I took a photo on my camera phone because I could not believe what I was seeing.

"After seeing the work that the fire service had to do last night, I can safely say I would never want to be a firefighter. It's awful to lose one of your own - it's devastating." The mood in Atherstone on Stour was extremely sombre this morning, and the smoke clouds could be seen for miles.

The roads are all closed off and deserted, apart from a single fire hose that snakes up to the mangled warehouse.

Many firefighters were too upset to talk this morning, with many simply looking on in silence as their colleagues dampened down the smouldering building.

Bomfords is in the middle of an industrial estate, which is today covered with charred debris.

At 9.15am, the only sound that could be heard was the thundering of the jet as it hammered down on the roof of the warehouse.

The scene was being watched by 10 exhausted firefighters who had gathered together for a quick break. Around 10 fire engines are still at the scene.

The smoke, which had died down a little at around 8am, was once again thick and spreading over the site and neighbouring fields at 9.30am.

As the building continued to be damped down, a small team of firefighters tackled a large blue metal grill, one of the main entrances into the warehouse.

Tentatively, slowly, they lifted the grill and peered inside.

And, with the door open, a number firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, went inside.

Their main mission was to search for their fallen colleagues.

They were hoping for a miracle - but they were expecting the worst.