Henderson's fire.

[wsteve55]

It's the 50th anniversery, of the fire at Henderson's department store,Church st.when 11 people died! There were some interesting stories,and film,on local news programmes tonight, and though I dont remember it myself,(too young) I wondered if any older Yo'ers had any memories of this? Apparently, the fire was tackled by shop staff for some time,before anyone thought to phone the fire brigade,and they also never tried to evacuate the shop,which probably contributed to the death toll!

[Davec]

Some footage of the day after here Steve;



http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=65466

[Waterways]

See the uniforms and vehicles the firemen had? Still mainly WW2. A modern Dennis was there though. The place was demolished and rebuilt. It was a nice building. I think the fire changed the fire regs in public buildings. Was there also afire in Marks & Sparks in Liverpool about 20-25 years ago?

The crowds are just staring and in such a large group. I doubt you would get so much of that today. We would have a film crew with the firemen live.

[Debra]

Thanks for posting this Steve , and thanks for the amazing footage Dave .. I can't believe the damage to the building , all the RSJ's have fallen , it looks like a huge bomb had ripped through the place !

WW , was anyone hurt in the Marks and Spencer fire ? I don't remember it .

[Ged]

It was an interesting programme, called 'Inside Out' in case anyone can catch it again. They reunited a fireman with a chap he helped rescue.

[Debra]

Is Hendersons buildings where Next used to be ?

[Ged]

I think so and I think Binns were once in there too, the last building on the corner before is it Tarleton St or Basnett st.

[Davec]

It was on the corner of Williamson Street.

[lindylou]

I think so and I think Binns were once in there too, the last building on the corner before is it Tarleton St or Basnett st.

I used to like the Binns food hall.

[Debra]

I know where it was now , i was picturing it being Hepworth Chambers..

[Davec]

The 'stills' feature on that link will give you a better idea of exactly where it was.

The 'stills' can be found under the newsreel screen on the left. There are 4 pages in total.

[wsteve55]

Is Hendersons buildings where Next used to be ?

It's where H&M is now.

[ItsaZappathing]

Some footage of the day after here ....;



http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=65466

Ta for that. Nice one

[burkhilly]

My mother remembers the fire clearly, and worked for Hendersons in the 70s. Wasn't there another fire in Hendersons or Binns or whatever it was called after the really serious fire?

[Partsky]

It was a lovely old posh store but a bit snotty. I was 5 at the time of the fire but it did come back as Hendersons, Then Binns, I think. It was quite like Debenhams in Southport still is with the lovely old wooden counters and posh stuff most plebs could not afford to buy. The Women on the beauty counter were terrifying. They sold handmade chocolates too!!! Hendersons and the old Bon Marche which became part of George Henry Lee`s were the poshest shops in the 50s and 60s, along with Watson Pritchard (if it was called that) which was in North John Street and was even more scary.