The fireworks with a big bang
Posted on December 23rd 2009
Theowners of a fireworks factory have been fined and sentenced to prison after failing to comply with health and safety laws.
Martin Winter and son Nathan owned a fireworks storage facility in Shortgate called Alpha Fireworks Ltd. In December 2006 a fire broke out within the warehouse causing massive explosions and the death of two fire fighters, Geoff Wicker, 49 and Brian Wembridge, 63. The resulting consequences left the father and son business partnership with a £30,000 fine and two prison sentences of 5 and 7 years.
The court heard how the pair had not properly contained the explosive devices leaving those in the area at massive risk should a fire break out. The judge told them how they had deliberately put the public at risk with the understanding that they did not have the correct authorisation to store the fireworks.
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