3 U.K. fire service managers have been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence after the deaths of four firefighters during a warehouse blaze in 2007.
Warwickshire County Council has also been charged with failing to ensure the health and safety at work of its employees.
Firefighters Ian Reid, John Averis, Ashley Stephens and Darren Yates-Badley died while operating at the fire at a vegetable packing warehouse, near Stratford-upon-Avon. In total, 12 people were questioned by detectives about their conduct during the operation to bring the fire under control.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said the remaining nine people have been told there is insufficient evidence to take action against them.
The CPS’ Michael Gregory said: "I have reviewed the evidence of the case very carefully and I have decided that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to charge Paul Simmons, Adrian Ashley, and Timothy Woodward with gross negligence manslaughter.
"Mr Simmons and Mr Ashley were watch managers and Mr Woodward was a station manager at the time of the fire, but they all acted as incident commanders before, during and after their colleagues were sent into the burning building.
"In that role, they were responsible for making operational decisions while their colleagues tried to put out the fire."
The father of one of the dead firefighters was among those questioned about his role in the operation, but has not been charged.
Warwickshire Police said: "We welcome today’s announcement by the CPS. This has been a long and complex investigation and the CPS has reviewed it with due diligence before making its decision.
"The judicial process has now begun and we must await the outcome. Our thoughts are with the families of the four fire fighters who died."
As yet, the CPS has not received any evidence from the police relating to any suspects thought to have deliberately started the fire. Mr Gregory added: "I have also decided that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction against Warwickshire County Council for failing to protect the health and safety of its employees and that it is in the public interest to prosecute."
All defendants will appear at Leamington Spa Magistrates’ Court on April 1.
