Fire....1976

click on the picture to enlarge Use your "back" button to return.

The fire was on August Bank Holiday Monday..   1976 after many weeks of hot dry weather..

The Alarm went, as I was working in the Pontinental(Wheelhouse) Bar. We had offices in the complex, and cameras in there.I went across ..but realised I didnt have the key,Alan had it in the Ballroom..As I came out, I stopped two children who were going to wander into the building to have a look!..

I walked from the complex, down towards the BallroomAs I passed the pond I turned back to look, just in time to see a ball of fire shoot skywards. The pitch and timber roof was well alight!Thank Goodness I did not have the office key!

Alan was on an Elegant Grandmother Competition in the Ballroom.The biggest entry of the season 86 contestants,as I remember..And the Tannoy system,therefore the mics, went down I took over on the competition as Alan went up to the complex. He took all these photographs, and lost the front of his hair,and his eyebrows in the process

The week up until he fire,had been a slow,disappointing start for us.Sales not what one would have liked,Then came the fire..and we literally could not print the photographs fast enough! The darkrooms by 1976,were at Cleveleys. The Darkroom Manager,Brian, was driving loads of copies of these pics to us, while the staff back in Cleveleys were printing another load, which he then fetched..He was driving all day It turned a poor week into an excellent week

All the guests in "A" Line were evacuated The heat from the flames melted the plastic railings along the balcony They were taken into reception,where what I can only describe as a "Wartime" atmosphere developed. Men, Women,Children..wrapped in blankets Children asleep in the chairs..The Catering Dept.,.provided hot drinks and sandwiches..And the bluecoats were on hand to keep everyone "upbeat".One bluecoat even produced a guitar, and a sing song ensued The Ents.Manager then was Lew Martin It may have been Kathy Almond  who was singing with the guitar,I cannot remember,but I sure Kathy will tell me in due course!!

It certainly was a "Night to Remember".. Fortunately no one was injured..Buildings can be replaced,people cannot!