Brother of Bosley mill victim tells ITV News: Factory was a 'disaster waiting to happen'
A worker killed in an explosion at a wood mill in Cheshire said the factory was a "disaster waiting to happen", his brother has told ITV News.
William Barks, 51, was one of four people trapped after the blast at Wood Flour Mills in the village of Bosley, near Macclesfield last Friday.
His brother Kelvin Barks claims the owners of the mill failed to buy parts for a faulty machine despite his brother's "relentless" requests.
"He'd always have discussions [with me] saying it's a disaster waiting to happen... and unfortunately it's taken his life before he had the chance to get out," he told ITV News Correspondent Damon Green.
A tearful Mr Barks said his brother had told him that one of the machines was "running hot" and required a certain type of grease but the owners did not have the right type.
"Relentlessly, he tried to get stuff ordered and a lot of the time he was refused - unless it stopped that mill, they wouldn't buy parts for it," he said.
An investigation into the explosion is ongoing and it is not clear whether the machine Mr Barks mentions played any part in the blast.
It emerged earlier this week that the owners of the plant - who said they were "shocked and saddened" by recent events - had been warned of the risk of an explosion in 2013.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) told Wood Treatment Limited in March 2013 that it was failing to control the risk of an explosion from liquid petroleum gas stored at the plant.
An employee at the mill also told ITV News that he "had no safety training" at all before he started working there.
Mr Barks said the William's wife and son were "distraught" and that the family were determined to ensure "every last stone was unturned" in the investigation into what happened.
Paying tribute to his "hero" big brother, Mr Barks said the 51-year-old was "so knowledgeable" and "well respected by everybody".
"He inspired me to do well in life, he was just an unbelievable guy," he said.
"He could turn a pig's ear into a silk purse - he was at the top of what he did."
ITV News has approached Wood Treatment Limited for a response to the allegations made by William Barks's brother.
The families of the the workers caught up in the blast say they have not heard anything from the owners since the tragedy happened nearly a week ago.