SP Plastics tragedy: Family of Simon Hillier reveal agony over two year wait for answers to fire death

More than 50 firefighters tackled the flames that took hold SP Plastics in Stafford, where fireworks were being sold, on October 30, 2014.

That day Hednesford man Simon Hillier, who had been helping out at the business, never came home – leaving his young son Thomas without a father.

Customer Stewart Staples, a 57-year-old father of three, from Bond Way, Hednesford, also died.

Inquests on the two men will not take place until a police investigation into the cause of the blaze has concluded. In the meantime, their families are left waiting to find out exactly how the two died.

Simon's parents Lynn and Tom Hillier, who he lived with in Littleworth Road, have now told how their lives have been turned upside down by the 41-year-old's death.

"It's been absolute hell," said Mrs Hillier, 64. "We have missed him so much. He was the life and soul of everything.

"We are just broken. We'll never get our head around the fact he's gone and in such a horrific way. We'll never get closure I don't think.

"But it is very important we get answers as to what happened. We still don't know anything. We probably will never know. It has been very frustrating."

Mr Hillier, 68, added: "Since the week after it happened I have started getting more angry. We still can't get the gist of what happened. We haven't even got a death certificate yet.

"We just can't believe he didn't get out. The police were saying he was found three feet from the door.

"We don't know if it was the fireworks or the smoke. I know nothing is going to bring him back to us but I just want to get rid of this anger."

Mr Hillier had been a keen kickboxer, which he took up at the age of 16, going on to become Midlands and England champion.

He was forced to stop competing when he suffered a brain injury at the age of 30, but refused to give up his passion entirely, continuing to train children at Featherstone Kickboxing Club. Mrs Hillier said: "He was a hero to everyone and a good friend to many.

"He was devastated when had to give up kickboxing – it was his life.

"He went through a fit of depression after. But give him his due he went back to train the kids. They all respected him and looked up to him.

"He still went to the gym every day, he didn't drink, smoke or do nightclubs. He was a real keep fit-sort of person."

As well as his son, Mr Hillier left behind older brother Mark, aged 45, niece Josie, 12, and nephew Manny, 19.

Mr Hillier was set to take his son to SP Plastics on the day the blaze broke out but his mother took him to get a Halloween costume instead. "It could have been even worse," said Mrs Hillier. "We could have lost Thomas as well. He has had a really tough time. He misses his dad. He wanted to be with him. We're just doubly heartbroken for Simon and for Thomas."

Mr Hillier added: "I take him to football now and he wants to take up kickboxing like his dad.

"I have tried to take over from his dad as much as possible. But I keep saying to him 'dad's still looking after you'."

On the day of the fire the Hilliers rushed to Baswich Lane Industrial Estate after being told of the drama.

Mrs Hillier said: "When we got there I remember seeing the police, the TV cameras and the Press everywhere. It was hell.

"They wouldn't let us anywhere near. We were told casualties had gone to hospital but we rang around and he wasn't there. We realised he must have still been in the building. Mark wanted to go and drag him out. It wasn't until the next day when we were told he was dead. It was just shock. You are just dead inside after."

A 53-year-old man was arrested but he was later released with no further action.

Staffordshire Police handed a file of information to the CPS in August 2015, but the investigation is ongoing.

CPS spokeswoman Stephanie Joannou said: "The CPS provided early investigative advice to the police in this case involving an explosive fireworks incident and, since an initial file was received in August 2015, further evidence has been sought and the investigation continues. This is a sensitive matter and, as with every case, any eventual charging decision will be made using the Code for Crown Prosecutors."

Staffordshire Police have stated the long investigation was down to sheer scale of devastation caused.

Spokeswoman Hazel Dockery said: "It has been a challenging and lengthy inquiry due to the total destruction of the premises and the volume of witnesses and experts consulted as part of the investigation.

"We have spent significant time gathering evidence and since a file was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service last August, there have been a number of meetings and further investigation has been undertaken as a result of them.

"We continue to keep the families of Simon Hillier and Stewart Staples updated on progress." Meanwhile South Staffordshire Coroner's Office confirmed the inquests into the two deaths will not take place until the conclusion of a criminal investigation. The hearings are currently scheduled for Thursday November 24 but are set to be adjourned as they have been numerous times before.

Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy stressed it was important the families were provided answers over the two deaths as soon as possible.

He said: "First and foremost I hope that the findings of what happened are published as soon as possible for the families of those who tragically died, as the reasons as to why it happened will matter very much to them."