Red Watch 1 Arsonist 0 Ewood Park
From: ArticlesWe had just reported for our night shift on the 21st July 1984, we had completed our vehicle and equipment checks and were just about to settle down in the lecture room for our read through of service orders and any more operational relevant information.
The station turnout system sounded and over the tannoy system we received the message, two pumps to proceed to Blackburn Rovers Football Club, Ewood Park, Nuttall St, Blackburn nature Football Stand. I took up my position on the back of the first pump along with my Breathing Apparatus partner Jim Kenyon, the Officer in Charge was Stn Officer Ray Langford.
The football club is about 1.5 miles from the station, we responded and as we proceeded we encounter severe smoke obscuring our view of the road about .5 of a mile from the station.
On arrival we had already donned Breathing Apparatus and proceeded to gain access through a turnstile door, fortunately we had picked the correct door on opening we discoverd a severe fire had developed and proceeded to enter with a hand held hose line. On entry due to the severity of the fire we were forced back the only problem with this the turnstile was fitted with a profile that prevented us from getting through with a Breathing Apparatus Cylinder on our back.
Not a good moment we managed to get down on the floor a crawl out under the turnstile profile and to put it mildly make tactical a retreat and fight the fire from outside. The fire was brought under control with I think 4 Jets if their is any body out there can remember the details please let us no. The under side of the Blackburn End Nuttall St Stand was badly damaged causing £100,000 of damaged. But due to the efforts of all who attended the fire the main part of the stand which included famous antique boardroom was saved. And in the words of a Old Firefighter a good stop lad.
One amusing moment was when we returned back to the fire in the early hours to carry on with damping down operations, we found a old deflated football, and yes it had to be done dressed in full firefighting gear we proceeded to take penalty kicks on the famous old ground. Not many can say that they have taken a penalty on the Blackburn Rovers Football pitch.
If you were there and have any pictures please let us no.
Bob France (Retired Firefighter)
Creator
Bob FranceDate of creation
15 March 2014Date of coverage
21st July 1984Contributor
Lancashire Evening TelegraphReference number
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