GEMMA CASEY
Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard

TRIBUTES have been paid to a fireman who died following a suspected explosion at Cotswold Airport.

Steve Mills, fire services manager at the Kemble-based airport, died following an industrial accident at the airfield at 12.45pm on Friday.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed to the Standard that the incident related to a high pressure cylinder. It is believed the cylinder exploded.

Wiltshire Police said the 45-year-old, who had also been a retained firefighter at Malmesbury for 10 years, was not believed to be responding to an incident at the time.

One fire crew from Cirencester and one from Tetbury attended the incident.

The Health and Safety Executive confirmed they were investigating the accident, which shut the A429 through Kemble for several hours. Wiltshire Police carried out initial inquiries and said the incident was not being treated as suspicious. It is understood the police will hand over the investigation to the HSE.

A tribute on the airport's website this week said: "Ronan Harvey, the board of directors and staff wish to pay tribute to our fire chief, colleague and much-loved friend.

"We also wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones at what is clearly a difficult and emotional time."

Mr Mills was a long-standing senior member of staff at the airport and played a key role in helping develop the facility after it changed into private ownership. He became fire services manager in 2009, soon after the airport was re-branded as Cotswold Airport.

A Cotswold Airport spokesman added: "His enthusiasm for the job and skills in the field were of the highest calibre.

"His diligence, leadership qualities and affable nature earned him the utmost respect and affection of all his colleagues.

"His untimely death is a tragedy to us all and the sense of loss felt by everyone is immense."

Chief fire officer at Wiltshire fire and rescue service Simon Routh-Jones said everyone had been devastated by the news.

"Steve was a dedicated and popular member of the team at Malmesbury," he said.

"We were able to draw on his knowledge, contacts and expertise, which in turn strengthened our ability to serve our local communities, and we recognise and are grateful for the contribution he made.

"Steve will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. All of the crew at Malmesbury are devastated by the loss of a friend and colleague, and the service is giving them as much support as possible at this difficult time."

The Gloucestershire coroner has been informed.

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This Is Wiltshire: Tributes after Malmesbury firefighter dies

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April 14, 2011