Greater Manchester fires which changed Britain forever - from Woolworths to the air disaster that left 55 dead

30.01.2022 - 11:39 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Since 1801 to the present day 201 firefighters have died in the line of duty in our region, according to records held by the Fireground Museum in Rochdale.

Many others have risked their lives to rescue those in danger.

Their bravery has not only preserved life but investigations in the aftermath of major incidents has led to changes in Britain for the protection of us all.

As fire engulfed Woolworths, William Jolley climbed a ladder to the second floor from where smoke was billowing.

Several women were trapped behind iron bars.

Station Officer Jolley used a large axe to smash masonry surrounding the bars in a bid to remove them.

When this failed he cut through them with a compressed air saw, then forced them upwards to get into the Piccadilly store.

He found six women in a room full of poisonous fumes struggling to breathe.

The firefighter calmed and reassured them before leading them to the ladder and to a hydraulic platform cage nearby.

After the last one was moved to safety he went back into the building, crawling on the floor, further inside, shouting several times to see if there were other customers.

He had no response and by now was in dense black smoke and searing heat. He had to use a resuscitator on himself before getting back to the window.

He was awarded The Queen's Gallantry Medal for doing what firefighters do instinctively.

The citation read: "Station Officer Jolley displayed bravery of a high order, when without the support of other personnel and at risk to his own safety he rescued six trapped women".

The blaze had started sometime between 1.20 and 1.25pm. The fire service responded quickly and were at the scene by 1.31pm. About 500 people were inside at the time.

Tragically ten people died in the fire -

Tags: film Death Waters Britain Manchester

See showbiz news on manchestereveningnews.co.uk

The website popstar.one is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.

Trees fall on cars and block roads and train lines as Storm Eunice batters Greater Manchester

Trees have been felled across Greater Manchester as Storm Eunice causes damage and disruption.

Greater Manchester fires which changed Britain forever - from Woolworths to the air disaster that left 55 dead

Trees fall on cars and block roads and train lines as Storm Eunice batters Greater Manchester

The Greater Manchester university where almost every student is from an under-represented background

Coronavirus infection rates continue to plummet across Greater Manchester

Storm Dudley hour-by-hour forecast as Greater Manchester set for more fierce winds

Parts of Greater Manchester hit by 'sonic boom' amid reports of earthquake

Greater Manchester's latest Covid hotspots - and places where it is plummeting

Ex-Manchester United defender to miss Burton Albion's Bolton Wanderers clash as Brewers left sweating

Coronavirus infection rates down almost 40 per cent across Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester's latest borough-by-borough coronavirus infection rates as cases continue to plummet

'Too little too late' - What Greater Manchester medics think of Sajid Javid's plan to tackle NHS backlog in wake of pandemic

'Children should know they're going to be safe': Huge spike in anti-Semitic hate crimes in Greater Manchester

The Greater Manchester beauty spot that was 'like an oasis' for kids - just as long as you could find it

Energy bill price cap will be 'the death of some care homes' in Greater Manchester, care manager warns

Coronavirus infection rates in all ten Greater Manchester boroughs remain below national average

Greater Manchester hospitals hit by wave of staff stress and anxiety sickness as 12-hour waits rise after Omicron battle

Greater Manchester scientists call for Covid-19 positive residents to test new medications

The latest borough by borough coronavirus infection rates across Greater Manchester

How much council tax you can expect to pay in each area of Greater Manchester

Storm Corrie hour-by-hour forecast as Greater Manchester set for more fierce winds

Latest Greater Manchester Covid infection rates as cases fall in nine boroughs

Popular Celebrities