Two accused of fireman's death (From Barry And District News)

Two accused of fireman's death

TWO men have appeared in court charged with manslaughter, following the death of a Barry firefighter in a blaze at a derelict community centre in Ely.

Jamie Evans, aged 20, of Duw Crescent, Cardiff and Christopher Raisis, agec 24, of Amroth Road, Cardiff, are accused of unlawfully killing Richard John Jenkins, who was a member of Barry fire station's White Watch.

The 29-year-old firefighter was killed in an explosion as the Port Road station-based fire crew dealt with the blaze.

Two colleagues from White Watch suffered superficial face burns in the incident and were treated in the University Hospital of Wales (UHW).

The two injured men fought to get Mr Jenkins to safety and tried to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at UHW.

Evans and Raisis appeared at Cardiff Magistrates Court charged with manslaughter as well as separate charges of witness intimidation and aggravated burglary in relation to the incident.

Both defendants also face unrelated charges of causing actual bodily harm. Evans faces a further charge of burglary.

They spoke only to give their names and addresses.

There was no application for bail and the two men were remanded in custody to appear in Cardiff Crown Court on June 8.

They were also ordered to appear before Cardiff Magistrates on June 7 in relation to the joint charge of ABH and Evans' charge of burglary.