Exchange Street Benefits Office 1989
From: ArticlesThis article describes the horrific story of an attack on benefits office staff. I did not attend the original fire I think it was Green Watch, but I recall the incident most vividly the perpetrator of that horrific fire went on the run. I recall going on duty that Sat morning following the fire and was looking forward to a nice quiet morning on the Turntable Ladder. I recall both pumps had responded to a incident and I had returned to stations workshop were I was doing some work on the partly restored HCB 500’ the stations turnout system sounded I proceeded to the teleprinter thinking that it would probably be a mistake or that the pumps were about to return to station and had got another job. I read the message, it said 0716 Turntable Ladder to proceed to Ewood Court Mill Hill Flats to assist Police which was a bit of a shock. I turned out bearing in mind in them days it was normal to ride one man on special appliances so as the saying goes I was on my own. I decided it might be prudent not to use any blue lights and two tones, just to give you a picture of the flats the were tower blocks of 13 floors with a balcony on each floor. I arrived at the Tower Block to be met by a Senior Police Officer who explained that the person who had thrown the petrol in the Benefit Office had been pursued by Police Officers to the top of the Tower Block and was dropping down from balcony to balcony, he wanted me to position the Turntable Ladder to prevent him from doing this and complete his apprehension. I enquired who was going up the ladder ? his reply was are you not going up ? I politely replied it was against Service policy and he would have to provide someone, he instructed me to standby while he got someone. I recall thinking this is the guy who as just thrown a gallon of petrol into a office full of innocent people it could be a bit tricky perched on the end of a 100ft ladder. I started to weigh up were to position my vehicle and could see the the chap being pursued standing on the ninth floor balcony. Just as I was about to return my vehicle he stood on the wall edge and dived from the ninth floor, I recall the ground shake as he thudded into the ground. Along with two ambulance crew one called Alf Whalley who I knew, we went to see what we we could do he was still breathing at this stage but died sometime later that day. I recall thinking you never no whats going to be thrown at you in the Fire Service I was expecting a nice quiet day that Sat only to attend a incident that will remain in my memory for ever more. Bob France
Date of creation
8th September 1989Date of coverage
BlackburnContributor
Lancashire TelegraphReference number
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