First in.. Last out

Firefighter lived and died by vow

By Keith Gladdis

A BRAVE part-time firefighter with the motto ‘First In..Last Out' was killed in a warehouse blaze alongside a close pal who had just become a new dad.

Darren Yates-Badley and Ashley Stephens perished with two other part-timers tackling the massive fire—after trying to save people they thought were trapped inside.

Ashley had been delighted when girlfriend Emma Crocker gave birth to his son George in August. And the 20-year-old joiner had been looking forward to next fulfilling his dream of becoming a full-time firefighter.

Darren 24, who has a young daughter, was a newlywed. He married bride Fay Beasley at a white wedding in Chipping Camden, Gloucestershire, last month—and had a classic fire engine as their wedding car.

But the fitness instructor lost his life alongside Ashley in the inferno at a vegetable packing plant in Atherstone on Stour, Warwicks. Both were "retained" fireghters at the small station in the nearby town of Alcester—and Ashley is the son of the station commander Paul Stephens, 50, who, it is thought, was also at the blaze.

John Averis, 27, and Ian Reid, 44, from Stratford-upon-Avon, are also presumed to have died in the fire, which is thought to be arson.

The four victims had gone into the plant—a former World War II aircraft hangar—fearing people were trapped inside on Friday night.

But once they entered the building a large section of the roof collapsed, trapping them instead. One of the men died in hospital after pals pulled him from the building. But the bodies of the three others have yet to be recovered, as the building is not yet safe for search teams to enter, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue said yesterday.

Both Ashley and Darren's Bebo websites feature the moving Firefighter's Prayer. And on Ashley's site, girlfriend Emma, 17, says: "I don't go out because all of my time is spent on my boyfriend who I have been with for nearly three years and my gorgeous baby boy George, they are my life. I love them both to bits!!!!"

Darren was a fitness instructor at the local Grieg Hall Leisure Centre in Alcester. Neighbour Pam Stephenson, 52, a teacher, said: "Darren was a lovely boy with a great sense of humour. He worked at Grieg Hall. A couple of years ago I went there for a keep-fit assessment. He was lovely and we had some great banter."

John Averis was a keen rugby player from the village of Tredington near Shipston-on-Stour. A police liaison officer was last night with his mother Kathleen and father Phillip.

The deaths of the four men is the single biggest loss of life to hit the British fire service in 35 years, and Warwickshire's fire chief William Brown described yesterday as "the worst day of my career".

Last night Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "shocked and saddened" by the tragedy.

And Communities Secretary Hazel Blears added: "This is a reminder of the courage of our emergency services and the hazardous work they do."

Local MP John Maples said: "All four were retained firefighters and they are all from small towns where they all know each other and the families know each other. It's terrible."

Police yesterday confirmed that the blaze—battled by up to 100 firefighters—was suspicious.

Farmer William Meadows, who lives close to the scene, said: "I was amazed at how quickly it took hold."

The warehouse was owned by food group Bomfords until going into liquidation in June. It has since been bought by The Veg Table, part of the Wealmoor Group.

Have you got a story for us? Text: 63300 Phone: 0845 35 63300 Email: newsdesk@notw.co.uk		Send this page to a friend: