General Interest

Halland: Your condolences

Two fire brigade staff - photographer Brian Wembridge and retained firefighter Geoff Wicker - died in the explosion at Halland in early December.

They were amongst the first people on the Festival Fireworks site - both men died after a major explosion - the cause of which is still being investigated.

Twelve other people - two members of the public and ten members of the emergency services were also hurt.

The BBC Book of Condolence is now closed and your messages will be passed on to the families of Brian Wembridge and Geoff Wicker.A memorial fund for those who lost their lives has also been set up and you can see details of how to make a contribution in the Fact File on this page.

Jane French - Halland.
My heartfelt condolances for the loss of two brave firefighters Geoff and Brian.
I was there at the time of the explosion and I was really scared but I THANK YOU Geoff and Brian and to all fierfighters and all the other emergency services who are so brave and regularly put the lives of others before there own. May You Rest in Peace.

Sue Lewis
On behalf of the mayfield bonfire boyes and bells. We know what a great job you do. Our thoughts are with Geoff's family.

Pam Tourle
My heart goes out to the families of these two brave men. God bless. From a retained firefighters Mum (West Sussex)

Simon and Donna
Rest in peace Geoff and Brian. Our thoughts are with your friends, families and also your colleagues. Sweet dreams.

Emma
What a tragic loss. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. I didn't have the privilege of knowing you, but I know that you were a credit to both the ESFRS and to your families. I live in East Sussex, and I think all the firefighters involved in the dreadful incident were amazingly brave, and deserve our respect.

Andy and Mandy
So sorry, so sad, all our thoughts are with all family and friends. R.I.P.

Joyce and Eddie Glover
We did not know them, but were deeply moved at their passing.  We send our heartfelt condolences to their families and colleagues.

Declan
Our thoughts go out to both of the fire fighters thats lost tehre lives in the fire our thoughts are with them and we hope that they rest in peace and we hope that all of the family will hope for him to rest in peace.

Jeremy
Our thoughts are with the families of these two brave men... men who moved towards the very thing that most of us would run away from... They will be sorely missed by their colleagues, as well as by those who did not know them but who regarded them as true heroes.

Debbie
R.I.P. Both were very brave men xx.