The Fires of Bridlington

Bridlington Fire Station today

Fires devastate communities, destroy buildings and cost countless lives all year round. Even a small town like Bridlington has been no exception and over the years has had a number of major incidents that have led to several buildings being destroyed forever, with a modern day tragedy that left the town in shock. 

1660 - Reports of a fire at a Bakers in High Street. The first fire engine would not be introduced into the town for another hundred years. 

20 October 1906 - Bridlington Spa had only opened in 1896 before fire consumed the building. The elegant glass dome was one of only a small amount of the building that survived, but with the dedication of the builders the New Spa Theatre was opened less than a year later. 

25 August 1923 - The popular venue for drinking, dancing and music caught fire one Saturday when hundreds of tourists were in the area, many of whom descended in the vicinity for a closer look. Situated at the top of The Promenade, Floral Hall was gutted and had to be demolished, never to be rebuilt. 

29 January 1932 - Bridlington Spa once again became the focus of a fire fight as another blaze threatened to destroy the theatre, but luckily the damage was not as bad and it was re-opened just months later (pictured above in 1911 postcard).

Royal Victoria Rooms on fire

22 September 1933 - The Royal Victoria Rooms was the former Town Hall but also had multiple uses as an entertainment venue (cinema), several bars, meeting halls and a number of homes attached. On the night of the fire 19 year old Kathleen Hackett woke up to find the building ablaze and ran across the roof top to awaken her neighbour, her actions eventually saw all 10 people leave the building and no lives lost. The local police helped the businesses by dragging jewellery and bar items into the street away from the fire, thus saving livelihoods in the process. In 2017 Kathleen's grand-daughter and the Town Mayor unveiled a plaque dedicated to her bravery at the site of the Rooms. 

World War II - A number of air raids led to fires and collapsed buildings across the town, 27 people were killed and dozens more injured. The rescue and recovery efforts led to the first ever George Cross (Thomas Alderson) and a George Medal (Ernest Barker) being awarded. 

Pictured here is Prince Street in August 1940 after Woolworths and Foley's Cafe was hit by bombs leaving over a dozen trapped the the cellars. 

22 August 1995 - Fire takes hold of Emmanuel Church on Cardigan Road, over 70 fire fighters tackled the overnight blaze but the church was too far gone to save. The remains were cleared away and a new more modern building rose in its place, opening in December 1998.

11 November 2010 - In what is probably the most tragic incident to hit Bridlington in modern times, a cigarette started a blaze at a family home in Clarence Avenue. By the time emergency services had got to the house, three children were dead and their mother Samantha Hudson was in a critical condition. Two years later she became the fourth victim of the fire. Today they are buried together in Bridlington Cemetery. 

Fire can take hold any time, it gives no warning and takes no prisoners. It takes seconds to check your smoke alarm and could save your life and the life of your family. History has shown us that no buildings is immune, some of the most iconic places have been hit by fire - The Cutty Sark, Notre Dame Cathedral, Windsor Castle, Kings Cross Underground station and the Bradford City Football ground. 

Contact me at shipwreckdata@yahoo.co.uk for more information on historic fires or to purchase copies of my book on the Royal Victoria Rooms.