A fire service boss who was tried for manslaughter
after four firefighters died in a warehouse inferno has been cleared after a
judge told a jury to acquit him.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service's Paul
Simmons, who was watch manager, stood trial at Stafford Crown Court with fellow
watch manager Adrian Ashley and Timothy Woodward, who was station manager.
An official at the court said Mr Justice MacDuff
told the jury that Mr Simmons, 50, of Hampton Magna, Warwickshire, had no case
to answer.
He had been charged with four counts of gross
negligence manslaughter after firefighters John Averis, Ashley Stephens and
Darren Yates-Bradley were killed in an Atherstone-on-Stour vegetable packing
plant in November 2007. Fourth fireman Ian Reid died later in hospital.
Fire Brigades Union general secretary, Matt Wrack,
said Mr Simmons and his family felt great relief after the verdict.
Ashley, 45, and Woodward, 51, are still on trial.
Both pleaded not guilty to four counts of manslaughter.
Copyright Press Association 2012
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