Bosley Mill tragedy: 20 told their jobs are gone – and they won’t be paid

The police investigation into the explosion at Bosley Wood Treatment which killed four people could take more than six months to complete.

Efforts to get to the bottom of the blast and fire and the news that it could be months before a cause is found comes as the company announced it is in discussions over the future of half of its staff.

Twenty of workers at the wood-flour mill have been told their jobs are gone and they will no longer be paid.

A statement from the company said:

“Following the fire at our site in Bosley, we have had to take the difficult decision to consult our staff on redundancy.

“Unfortunately, the devastation at the factory and the ongoing joint police and HSE investigation into the cause of the fire mean that we cannot predict when the factory will be operational again.

“Furthermore, the police have informed us the investigation may take six months or more and we will not be able to access the site during this time.

“We regret the need to enter into consultation and will support those employees potentially affected as best we can.”

– WOOD TREATMENT LIMITED

Cheshire East Council Leader Michael Jones immediately hit out at the company owners over their handling of the disaster but pledged support today for the redundant employees.

“I’m appalled at the treatment of these people by the mill owners. Whatever business is done by them from the site should deliver local benefit.

“As the Leader of the Council I’m asking the questions as to why the company feels it can just walk away from these people and offer almost no support.

“How do they expect people who are traumatised to cope financially?

“The Council will not walk away from these people and we will do everything we can to make sure these people have what they need to rebuild their lives. Bosley and its residents are an important part of our community.”

– CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL LEADER MICHAEL JONES

The bodies of William Barks, aged 51, of Cheddleton, Derek Moore, aged 62, of Colclough Lane, Goldenhill, and 62-year-old Dorothy Bailey, of Bosley, were all discovered in the wreckage in the days after the tragedy.