Families of the four victims of an explosion at a wood mill in Bosley comforted each other at a special church gathering before visiting the devastated site.
Relatives of Dorothy Bailey, 62, Jason Shingler, 38, William Barks, 51, and Derek Moore, 62, gathered at Bosley Methodist Church just around the corner from the mill site this morning.
Their cars were allowed past police cordons which have been in place along Tunstall Road since the blast last Friday.
They filed past farm buildings and houses on the rural road en route to the chapel.
Family members brought wreaths and flowers to the chapel where they were greeted by Revered Pam Butler and joined by police family liaison officers.
William Barks’ brother Kelvin and a son of Dorothy Bailey were among those in attendance.
The sound of the water still being pumped by fire crews to try and put out pockets of fire could be heard from the chapel.
A Cheshire Police helicopter flew overhead gathering aerial pictures to help rescue teams with their search.
The four people were in the mill when the explosion happened and search teams have been trying to find them since.
The remains of two people were found this week and this morning a third body was recovered.
A body found on Sunday is thought to be that of dad of one William Barks, who was born and bred in Leek.
A second body was found on Tuesday. A post mortem examination of the second body has been carried out and although a formal identification has not been made indications are that it is that of mum-of-three Dorothy Bailey, who lived in a mill workers cottage next to the site.
After meeting in the chapel, family members walked together down the lane to the site with their flowers their arms.
They were able to see the rescue operation taking place and the joint efforts of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and partners in the search.
An investigation is ongoing between the fire service, Cheshire Police and the HSE to find a cause for the explosion at the mill, which makes products from wood flour.
Yesterday assistant chief constable Guy Hindle confirmed they could be looking at a criminal homicide investigation.
ACC Guy Hindle said: “We continue to work with our colleagues in very difficult conditions with ongoing risks.
“In the meantime we are interviewing witnesses and gathering other evidence, all of which will form the investigation.”
