Tributes to two men killed in firework warehouse fire He was a Cannock Grammar schoolboy, before going on to Bradford University to study civil engineering. He was a keen golfer and a member of Brocton Golf Club. He was also a member of the RSPB and Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. He was a lifelong Walsall football team supporter. One of his favourite things was to walk over Cannock Chase with his family. We as a family are totally shocked and devastated about Stewart's death. We need to come to terms with the tragic loss of someone who was a devoted and much loved family man. Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council, added: "We're incredibly shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Stewart, our highways laboratory manager. Stewart worked in our highways department for 26 years, and both as a professional and a person was one of the most respected, trusted and well-liked members of our staff, and a true gentleman. Mr Hillier was a kickboxer who trained youngsters at the Featherstone Kickboxing Club in Wolverhampton Friends of Mr Hillier told how he was helping out at the shop as a favour for Mr Pearson when he died. Mr Hillier's family including mother Lynn, 63, father Tom, 66, and brother Mark, 43, said in a statement: "Whilst we are still waiting for a formal identification to be made, as a family we are resigned to the fact that we will not see Simon again. We are all very proud of his sporting achievements and in everything else he did in life. He was a fantastic son and brother and a terrific dad, we all miss him dearly. We ask the media to please respect our privacy at this extremely difficult time. Mark Bradbury, who has worked at SP Plastics for 10 years yesterday (SAT) said Mr Pearson was critically injured in the blaze. He said: "Richard owns the company and is very ill in hospital. We're a family-orientated business and everyone is shocked. Simon was doing a favour for Richard. He is trained with fireworks and likes to get involved. He is a bit jack the lad but really lovely. He was totally devoted to his son and was just helping his friend out when he was killed. My thoughts are with both Simon and Stewart's families. Stewart was a totally innocent customer just buying a box of fireworks. A statement from Staffordshire Police said: "Although formal identification isn't likely to be confirmed for some weeks, evidence gathered places both of the men at the scene when the explosion happened." The industrial unit off Tilcon Avenue, which is just a few hundred yards from 150 homes, had been used to store what police described as "a significant volume of fireworks." Fire crews raced to the scene after a the fire took hold sending hundreds of rockets exploding across the night sky. Dramatic footage of the fire showed thick plumes of smoke and bursts of fireworks exploding in all directions from the building - a scene described as "horrendous" by bystanders Superintendent Ian Coxhead said: "Sadly, our inquiries have placed both men at the scene when the fire started. Our sympathies remain with the families involved and we're doing everything we can to help them at this distressing time. It is believed Simon was working at the premises while it's thought Stewart was a customer. He said the "dangerous scene" remains cordoned off while fire service and police investigators continue their probe. Mr Coxhead said: "We anticipate this will be a lengthy and complex investigation, our work to establish the cause of the fire is going to take considerable time. We've been able to reduce the size of the cordon and hope that all neighbouring businesses will have access to reopen on Monday. Officers at the scene will keep the affected community updated.