An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of Jason Shingler, one of four people killed in the Bosley mill disaster.

Jason, 38, is believed to have been close to the seat of the explosions and fire which ripped through Wood Treatment Ltd on July 17. Despite a four-month search Jason’s body was not found.

At Macclesfield town hall today (December 3), Nicholas Rheinberg, coroner for Cheshire, issued a death certificate to Jason’s family - including mum Angela and dad William.

Speaking after the hearing, Jonathan Betts, a solicitor acting on behalf of Jason’s family, said: “The family are devastated as to what happened. It’s an impossibly difficult set of circumstances to deal with. They are keen to get answers as to how and why this happened to their son. The family are clearly extremely distressed by today’s hearing. People grieve in different ways but I am sure, at this stage, relief will be part of that process.”

Det Con Andrew Roberts, from Cheshire Police’s major investigations team, told the inquest four witnesses, including his uncle Peter Shingler, who also worked at the mill, saw chargehand Jason at different parts of the site that morning. Colleague Claire Thorley was the last person to see him alive near the sawdust area at 9.05am.

DC Roberts said at 9.06am, four minutes before the first explosion, Jason sent a text message to his girlfriend Nicola Webb asking ‘what’s for tea?’.DC Roberts said analysis of machinery showed the heat of the blaze reached 1,600 degrees centigrade. He added: “We believe Jason perished in the explosion and fire because of the nature of his role he could have been anywhere on the site, but we think he was close to the seat of the explosion.”

Jason’s Ford Fiesta was found in the staff car park and a rucksack with his personal documents was found in the staff room.

Jason was born in Macclesfield and grew up in North Rode. At the time of his death he lived at Sycamore Avenue, Congleton.

Inquests have already been opened and adjourned into the deaths of Dorothy Bailey, 62, Derek Moore, 62, and William Barks, 51.

Cheshire Police, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service are continuing their investigation into the blast, and search efforts are ongoing