Bosley mill explosion: Body found in search

Derek Moore, Dorothy Bailey, Jason Shingler and William Barks have not been seen since Friday

A body has been found by rescue workers searching for four people who have been missing since an explosion and fire at a mill, Cheshire Police have said.

Dorothy Bailey, 62, William Barks, 51, Jason Shingler, 38, and Derek Moore, 62, have not been seen since the blast at Wood Flour Mills, in Bosley, near Macclesfield, on Friday.

Police said the body had not yet been identified.

Rescuers are continuing to search two specific areas of the collapsed mill.

'Difficult time'

In a statement Cheshire Police said the four families who are awaiting news about their family members have been informed.

"This is a particularly difficult time for the families involved," the statement said.

"The operation at the site has continued throughout the day concentrating on two areas identified by the search and rescue efforts.

"It is with regret that Cheshire Police are confirming this evening that a body has been located in one of the two areas."

Rescuers are searching two specific areas of the collapsed building

Earlier, Paul Hancock, chief fire officer for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, described the scene as "one of complete devastation" after the explosion and fire reduced the four-storey building to rubble.

"We have a building that has exploded from the inside and subsequently collapsed in on itself," he added.

"There are huge complexities around the challenges for the search and rescue teams."

'Collective shock'

Earlier, prayers were said for the missing factory workers during a service at St Mary's Parish Church in Bosley.

The Reverend Pam Butler said people were "in collective shock", adding: "There is a sense of unreality. No one is unaffected by what's happened."

The explosion took place at Bosley, between Macclesfield and Congleton in Cheshire

Meanwhile details have emerged that council enforcement officers were on the site two weeks ago to make sure the firm cleared the area after complaints of saw dust.

The site was also struck by fires in 2010 and 2012.

Michael Jones, leader of Cheshire East council, said: "We were on site two weeks ago clearing it up and they did well to clear it up. We will produce that evidence as and when necessary.

"The fact is this is the sort of industry that has a lot of problems tied to the dust and what happens around it.

"We shouldn't assume anything. We mustn't go down the trail of assuming anything."