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Fireworks factory tragedy: Inquests delayed until March

Inquests following the deaths of two men from Hednesford who were killed in a huge blaze at a fireworks factory have been delayed.

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The hearings, concerned with the deaths of Simon Hillier and Stewart Staples, had been due to start yesterday.

But they have now been pushed back until March 17 provisionally - which will be close to 18 months since the fire took place.

Inquests do not look to attribute blame and only look to establish the cause of the deaths.

Staffordshire Police stated that the adjournments were being determined by the Crown Prosecution Service.

A spokesman added: "Specially-trained officers continue to work with and support the families involved and they are kept fully up to date."

Flames took hold of SP Plastics, in Tilcon Avenue, Baswich on October 30, 2014.

The fire claimed the lives of 41-year-old father Mr Hillier of Mountside Street, who worked at the warehouse, and 57-year-old father-of-three Mr Staples, 57, of Bond Way, who was a customer.

The flames take hold. Picture courtesy of a reader John Aris

In October, as the date marking a year since the blazed approached, police confirmed they had submitted a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Hillier's family released a statement at the time declaring they still had 'unanswered questions' while Mr Staples' family said they were still 'devastated' at the loss.

The inquests were originally scheduled to take place last year but got put back and were due to commence on Monday only for the coroners' office to confirm they had been delayed again.

It took 50 firefighters to tackle the blaze at SP Plastics. Hundreds of rockets were sent exploding into the sky above the industrial unit.

What was left of the building was demolished and the firm never went into liquidation.

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