Mercers Transport , Northrop Fire 1982

From: Articles

an extra photo taken from Brian Ravenscroft with his permission

Brian EzPosse Ravenscroft

These are articles and photographs from another of Blackburn’s big fires . Northrop on Philips Road

pictures 16 and 17 I believe are of fireman Bob Baron walking along side of building when it fell.

pictures 20 and 21 were given by Brian Cook , I believe taken from the Turntable Ladder

Date of creation

August 10th 1982

Date of coverage

1980

Place

Blackburn

Contributor

Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Reference number

BP/BP5/2/0004/0002/0009

Comments about this page

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I was driving the first fire engine to arrive and sent all the assistance messages. Jeff Peacock was driving the second fire engine and between us we ran out what seemed like miles of hose! When the control unit arrived from Fulwood I was commandeered to assist the crew of that. It was Blue Watch and John Denham was the officer-in-charge. As the turntable ladder, driven by Wilf Nelson, approached Darwen Street Bridge traffic lights, a car waiting on red nipped through and turned left to let it through and the poor chap got a ticket for his efforts! We had a whip round on the watch to pay his fine – which I seem to recall was about a fiver. The building collapsed quite early on and I’m sure it was before the night shift arrived, so I doubt it is Bob in the pictures.
By Nick Isherwood (30/03/2023)
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the paper was stored for Bowater Scott, large rolls.
Yes Mercer Transport and Storage were operating from that building at that time. Jeffery Francis Mercer
Not sure what happened to him, but I used to work there.
By christine ashworth (18/08/2018)
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The building was being used for storage at the time and had a lot of paper products stored at the time. The new cars were taken out of the building a week before the fire. They were new fords for Cowies and new volvos for Hindle and Walker dealerships.
By Steve shaw (12/11/2016)
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Ah right never knew that Howard i remember as a kid there was lots of brand new cars in Northrop
Brian EzPosse Ravenscroft
By Brian Ravenscroft (25/05/2014)
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Jeffrey Mercer moved his haulage business into the Darwen Paper Mill (DPM) sometime after the fire.
Howard Green
By Howard Green (25/05/2014)
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Not 100% but I am sure it was paper or cloth.
Matt Shaw
By Matt Shaw (25/05/2014)
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Matt ….. What was the building being use for at the time of the fire?
Howard Green
By Howard Green (25/05/2014)
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Some said it was Howard others said it was a spark that went through the floor.
Matt Shaw
By Matt Shaw (25/05/2014)
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Was it arson?
Howard Green
By Howard Green (25/05/2014)
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Yes looks about right, I was a small 6 year old back then.
Matt Shaw
By Matt Shaw (25/05/2014)
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Well where i am on that pic Matt its pretty much behind me that path that leads to the church
Brian EzPosse Ravenscroft
By Brian Ravenscroft (25/05/2014)
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I was sat on the wall next to the path going up to St Stephens church.
Matt Shaw
By Matt Shaw (25/05/2014)
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* Sandra Riley Remember it well
By Sandra Riley (25/05/2014)