Fire service trio in court over Warwickshire deaths
Three fire service managers have appeared in court charged over the deaths of four firefighters who died in a warehouse blaze in 2007.
Timothy Woodward and Paul Simmons and Adrian Ashley are charged with manslaughter by gross negligence.
Warwickshire County Council also faces a charge of failing to ensure the health and safety of its employees.
None of the defendants was required to enter a plea at Warwick Crown Court in Leamington Spa.
Station manager Timothy Woodward, 50, and watch managers Paul Simmons, 50, and Adrian Ashley, 45, all from Warwickshire, were bailed until a further hearing which is expected to take place at Stafford Crown Court.
Firefighters Ian Reid, John Averis, Ashley Stephens and Darren Yates-Badley died in the warehouse blaze in Atherstone-on-Stour in November 2007.