FIRE chiefs called the search teams at Didcot Power Station as the "best in the world" as new pictures showed the scale of the rescue operation.

The images released by crews at the scene show the huge mass of twisted metal being scoured by the experts, using army robots to access the most dangerous parts of the huge unstable structure.

It comes as a four-minute silence was held in private by those on site yesterday at 4pm – exactly a week after the tragedy.

Oxford Mail:

Coleman & Co, the firm behind the Didcot demolition, encouraged the construction industry and beyond observed the poignant moment.
And emergency service crews across Oxfordshire and even in London held their own minute's silence at 10am.

Chief Fire Officer Dave Etheridge said thoughts remained with the families of those who have lost their lives.

He added: " I would like to reassure them that we are doing all we can to return their loved ones to them.

"I believe the emergency service teams working on site are the best in the world and now they are using their experience and expertise to the limits."

Oxford Mail:

And Mark Coleman, managing director of Coleman & Co, offered his tributes to the workmen lost in the industrial disaster.

He said: "Nothing can prepare you for, nor are there words to express, our devastation at the events of the last week. 

"All our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who have died or are still, tragically, missing.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the rescue and emergency services who rushed to the scene and brought with them world-class expertise in facing this unprecedented and hugely-challenging environment."

Oxford Mail:

Thames Valley Police assistant chief constable Scott Chilton said it will take "many, many weeks" to recover the bodies of the three workers trapped after part of the 10-storey building collapsed last Tuesday, leaving 30ft of debris.

He added: "I know that this makes it particularly difficult for the families involved, as they await the recovery of their loved ones.

"Our priority remains to return them to their families and we continue to support the families as needed."

But the five demolition staff injured in the building collapse at the power station have now all been released from hospital.

Police are now working closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to establish the cause of the disaster and the families of the three missing people have returned home.

More than 70 people living in and around the town have signed a book of condolences, which was set up on Friday for residents to pay tribute to the victims.

Residents have rallied together to do their bit, with mothers and children continuing to bake cakes donate snacks to the workers on site.

Mother-of-two Nicola Hutchings, who lives in Ash Way in the Great Western Park estate opposite the power station, said the response she had received from coming up with the idea had been overwhelming.

The married 33-year-old added: "We are still baking cakes, the response I have got has been huge.

"My hallway has been full of cakes and snacks for the workers. A lot of people didn't know what they could do, so have been donating crisps, drinks along with baking cakes."

Mrs Hutchings has also set up a just giving page for the worker's families and aims to raise £500 each for them.

She said: "We have set up a justgiving page with a fundraising target of £2,000 so we can give each of the families £500 each.

"It's completely heartbreaking for the families and we just want to help in whatever way we can.

"A lot of people want to do something to help but don't know what. 

"This is a small gesture to say to them that we are sorry for their loss and that we are thinking of them."

To donate go to crowdfunding.justgiving.com/DidcotPowerStationfamilysupport