Photos of the huge blaze
Video: Coolstore fire burningKEY POINTS:
A young fireman has spoken of his terrifying feeling seeing his boss, Derek Lovell, lying unresponsive after being badly injured in the Hamilton fire disaster.
Cameron Grylls, 29, spoke as two other firefighters hurt in the blaze battled for their lives, with friends and families gathered at their bedsides.
Mr Grylls was forced to do CPR on Mr Lovell and tend to six other colleagues injured when a massive explosion rocked the coolstore.
He had been the driver of one of two firetrucks that responded to an alarm at the coolstore about 4.30 on Saturday afternoon.
"I was outside and a couple of the guys were inside the building investigating what was going on," he said.
"The next thing I knew the whole place had just blown up."
Mr Grylls was standing close to Mr Lovell when the blast occurred and had hazy memories of the event.
"I think I stayed on my feet but there was debris flying everywhere. I think there was a big fireball."
He started to do a head count and found Mr Lovell.
"He'd been blown back a fair distance and I found him to be unresponsive and started CPR on him."
Bystanders rushed to help and Mr Grylls got them to take over CPR.
"I started putting in some radio messages for help and started thinking about who else was missing and where they were and how to get them out.
"They luckily came out in dribs and drabs by themselves ...
"They managed to haul themselves out as far as they could and bystanders went in and helped them out the rest of the way."
Having his boss lying on the ground unresponsive had been terrifying but he praised the doctors and nurses who did "an awesome job" helping his injured colleagues.
Most of the firefighters were wearing protective clothing and at least one had a mask, but another who was not wearing such clothing came out with his clothing "blown off his back".
Mr Grylls was not sure of his future in the Fire Service now, saying the explosion had been a nightmare.
Firefighter Merv Neil was in the Middlemore Hospital burns unit last night in a critical condition, with burns to 60 per cent of his body.
His family at the hospital were being comforted by Fire Service staff.
They told the Herald they were proud of his bravery but didn't want to comment further.
Mr Neil's neighbours last night spoke of a man who would do anything for anyone.
A tearful Jeanette Keen said she hadn't heard how badly hurt he was.
Ms Keen said Mr Neil, 43, had a wife and two grown-up children who were "lovely kids".
Mr Neil first joined the Hamilton Fire Service in 1984. His uncle, Allan Jenkinson, said last night that Mr Neil had had the opportunity to rise through the Fire Service ranks but had turned it down to stay firefighting.
Brian Halford, 36, had surgery yesterday and was in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital intensive care last night but has is now described as being in a stable condition.
Senior Station Officer Jim Prescott of Rotorua said Mr Halford had been in the Navy and had degrees in sports science and teaching from Waikato University. He worked in Rotorua for about two years before transferring to Hamilton about 18 months ago. "He got on well with everybody."
Mr Halford has two pre-school children with his partner, Maria.
Other injured firefighters Alvan Walker, Dennis Wells, Adrian Brown and Dave Beanland are all described as being in a stable condition. They will all be in wards, except Mr Beanland who is in the intensive care.
Hamilton firefighters have started an appeal for the families of the firemen injured in Saturday's explosion.
Colin Irvine from the Hamilton Fire brigade said the some of the firefighters could be off the trucks for a long time and the money given would go to their families.
"They need some support," Mr Irvine said.
Mr Irvine said money could be donated at any Westpac Branch. The account number is: 03 0318087937700
