Police warn public not to use fireworks bought from Stafford warehouse gutted in blaze tragedy

Police investigating the cause of a fatal fire at a warehouse in Stafford are urging people who have purchased fireworks from the company not to use them.

Detectives investigating the blaze at SP Plastics which killed two people on October 30, are now working with trading standards and have asked customers with fireworks bought from the unit on Tilcon Avenue to contact Staffordshire Police.

Supt Ian Coxhead, said: "Our ongoing investigation includes tracing any fireworks that have been purchased from SP Plastics so they can be thoroughly inspected. This is just one line of inquiry we are exploring with our colleagues from Trading Standards.

"Details of the fireworks will be taken and advice provided on their storage. It will then be arranged for trading standards to make contact to provide further advice. We ask that people do not take fireworks to a police station or council offices."

Supt Coxhead added: "At this time the fire is being treated as unexplained. It is likely this will take sometime to identify a cause."

The blaze killed Simon Hillier, 41, from Mountside Street in Hednesford who was working at the store and father of three, Stewart Gordon Staples, 57, from Cannock, who was a customer.

The explosion, which was tackled by more than 50 firefighters, also left one man in a critical condition in Birmingham Hospital with serious burns. A second male casualty was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for treatment but is now recovering at home.

A 53 year old man was arrested in connection with the incident but was released from custody no further action on October 31.

Emergency services have now left the scene and today police said that the destroyed building on the Baswich Industrial Estate, remains dangerous and is fenced off with screens to prevent public access.

The police cordon was lifted yesterday, Monday 3 November and businesses were allowed to return to their units.

Anyone who has purchased fireworks from the site is asked to contact Staffordshire Police on 01785 232656