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National Breakdown Garage explosion

Posted by Ben Hanney on June 25, 2009 at 6:58 PM

HI Mark

I worked on Red Watch at Bradford central from 1977 until 1991 and I attended both the garage incident as first shout and also the Preston Street (City Road Goods Yard) job on the Sunday after the initial fire which happened on the Saturday night.

The Garage incident happened about ten thirty in the morning when a leaking acetylene cylinder exploded when a worker turned on the hot water boiler.

Although I can't remember the exact turnout I do remember there was a serious fire involving the decimated garage and all of the surrounding buildings having all of their windows blown out.

There were two casualtys in this incident and another two were rescued and transported to the Hospital.

Station Officer Ken Daphne was the initial officer in charge of the garage incident and Red Watch were in attendance until change of shift on Saturday evening.

If you want any further information please contact me.

Ben Hanney

Categories: Incident Fire News

2 Comments

Reply Mark Elliott

08:50 PM on July 08, 2009

Thanks For That Ben,

My old neighbour Stuart Smith was on Red Watch for many years, Also on Blue watch ?? for a while before going onto F Green as a Sub.

Stuart Retired in around 2000 ?? as Watch Mgr at Stanningley after serving at Bramley previously.

Very well liked and respected by many a firefighter.

I lived next to him for 14 years, And played football with his sons.

Also Martin Johnson I hear has just retired, Another good person to the finishing line!!!

Regards
Mark.