Grahams Fire Page West Yorkshire Fire Service on the World Stage

If some of your memories (May) recall Lol!!!

Many years ago on the weekend of the 4/5th November 1984 the traditional Bonfire jobs were coming in fast.

Little did the Bradford crews know that the next 48 hours was going to be VERY busy indeed.

The crews were engaged in the normal busy period, But that all changed when a call came that a garage on Bradford's Morley St had exploded.

This if I remember was quite a big 'Shout' and the road was closed in both directions.

Think the job started in the afternoon? and went on a while, Until the 2nd 'BIG BIG' job came in a VERY large bonded warehouse on Preston St just by Thornton Road (Where Grattan is now)was WELL alight at about 9.30 pm.

It was a Defo MP X 20 + & TL's & HP's & HL's, BAT, CU (Unknown number)

Obviously Every pump in the surrounding & outer divisions attended and little did they know it would be 3/4 days later when the fire would be fully extinguished!!

I went and witnessed both incidents on the Sunday (Jesus) what a sight, 1 after the other both incidents were ongoing at the same time, Never seen that happen again  as yet?

Thornton Road was closed for at least 4 days in both directions and City Road as well.

I stood just by the pub on the corner of City Road by the police cordon and watched events unfold.

It was unbelievable that this job was so big and was going for 24 + hours before I went to it.

It was a VERY large Bonded warehouse with the Railway goods yard behind.

Can't think of the owners name, But there was various companies in individual units.

There was 'Wine' stored in the cellars and I think some of the Firemen had a few drops Lol!!

A large staircase collapsed into the basement with the pressure of the heat etc.

Not the biggest fire in the history of WY, Compared to Arundel St, Nelson St, Collids, Lavers etc.

But worthy of being in the 'Top 10' of all time.

I couldn't see Thornton Road for the canvas hoses (A bunch of bastards) in Firefighters terms!!

Don't know much about the Morley St Garage Job, Just remember watching for an hour or so before going onto Thornton Road.

They said that workmen had set off gas cylinders? and the whole garage went up?

No photos or information on this as yet.

You could actually see the smoke from Thornton Road from Morley St.

Sadly Not 1 photo taken at any of the 2 incidents - I cannot believe myself for not taking a camera, What would it have cost to take photos - not much but photos are sentimental value!!!

You just don't think about it at the time.

Did anyone else go and watch or even take any photos?

Or did you even attend on a shout?

It would be magic to see some photos & share information after so long.

Nothing much found in the T&A of the incidents.

If anyone wants anymore information on the 2 jobs I will post some more 'History'

I keep saying to people WE NEED a book publishing on all the history of WY Fire service, As there are hundreds of incidents & stories to be told.

Can't believe nobody has yet published one.

Graham - Are you busy ? Lol!!!

Cheers.

Mark Elliott.