Plea-change on explosion

The refrigeration company facing charges in relation to last year's fatal explosion at Icepak Coolstores in Hamilton is expected to reverse last month's not-guilty pleas when it reappears in court next month.

At the Hamilton District Court yesterday, a lawyer for Mobile Refrigeration Specialists director Warren Cook said they were close to reaching an agreement with the Labour Department.

But Icepak Coolstores counsel Simon Menzies said that company and three directors, Wayne Grattan, Iain Slight and Jan Van Eden, who face similar charges still intended to defend the case.

On May 13, a date - possibly August - will be set for a defended hearing.

Hamilton senior station officer Derek Lovell was killed and seven other firefighters were injured at the explosive fire on April 5 last year. The charges focus on a failure to take practical steps to ensure safety. A Fire Service report said there were no signs warning of flammable materials.

- NZPA