Inquest date set for coolstore firefighter death

An inquest into the death of firefighter Derek Lovell - who was killed while battling a blaze at a Hamilton colltstore in 2008 - will be held later this year. Photo / Doug Sherring

Three years after a Hamilton coolstore explosion, killing firefighter Derek Lovell and injuring seven other, a date for the coroner's inquest into Mr Lovell's death has been set.

Waikato coroner Gordon Matenga today said the inquest would be held at Hamilton District Court in the week of September 5 this year.

The inquest had been adjourned pending the outcome of the Department of Labour prosection and appeals - which had now been completed.

Mobile Refrigeration Specialists (MRS) and Waikato Coldstorage - formerly Icepak Coolstores - were found guilty of safety breaches in 2009.

Waikato Coldstorage was fined $37,200 in Hamilton District Court on two charges and ordered to pay reparation of $95,000 to Mr Lovell's family and to the injured firefighters.

MRS, contracted to provide refrigeration services at the Tamahere site, was fined $56,000 and ordered to pay reparation of $175,000.

Wayne Grattan, who headed Icepak, was fined $30,000 in Hamilton District Court on a Health and Safety in Employment charge.

Both companies appealed their sentences, but they were dismissed by the High Court in Hamilton in March last year.

Mr Matenga, outlining the upcoming inquest, said there was little dispute over the facts of what happened to cause the fire and explosion which killed Mr Lovell.

The inquest would focus on the avoidance of deaths in similar circumstances in the future.

- NZPA