On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. You were certainly spoilt for choice - you could go swimming in 2 lovely new pools, rollerskate or play a multitude of sports in the massive sports hall, moonwalk in a big white type of enclosed bouncy castle (which like everything in there had a distinctive new smell). The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted. 7. It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. My uncle saw someone he knew from our home town (Widnes) whose hotel was closer than ours, and he was able to phone family at home to say we were OK just as the story was coming on the news.We were all OK, apart from my uncle's cracked ribs from charging at the fire door, but the horror of the evening is still with me such that even lighting a candle is something I struggle to do and I always check out fire exits when I'm somewhere new. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. . I survived that terrible disaster. Find average house prices, current average values, other historic property data & request a valuation from an estate agent. The world's first offshore oil wells, drilled from piers in 1896. Summerland was an odd mix of styles: one half light, airy and modern; the other windowless and concrete. August ISLE of MAN "SUMMERLANDS DOUGLAS" DESTROYED BY FIRE 2nd AUGUST 1973 POSTED 1974 Street Cars Derby Vehicles Swiss Derby Castle before Summerland was demolished J Judith B summerland isle of man August 2013 My Heritage 40th Anniversary Birth Gem Sidewalk Memories Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. We were there the night before the fire, we just thatought the "moving staircase" by the front door was the best thing ever. i loved summerland it was amazing the play area and the skating the swim baths and all shame the way things went, HI, I PLAYED THE SUMMERLAND DISCO WITH MY BAND 'ROCOCO' THE YEAR BEFORE THE FIRE,I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO REMEMBERS 'ROCOCO' I HAVE SOME VERY FOND MEMORIES OF MY TIME THERE, I HAVE VISITED THE ISLAND ONCE SINCE THEN,QUITE BY CHANCE IT WAS THE YEAR BEFORE THE DEMOLITION TOOK PLACE,BUT I SUPPOSE I COULD SAY GOODBYE. I wondered why she was fussing me so much and so upset, after all, I was fine. We stayed for a week and on all of the 4 nights preceding the evening of the disaster I had been to the complex for a swim and play around with new-found friends. Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. 1. I've just seen that picture of the pool with the rows of spectator seats and it brought it all back to me.I remember the next year when the fire happened because we were packing for our holiday to Anglesea when the news broke. Location: Doolish; Share; Posted July 3, 2008. . Summerland complex, Isle of Man Isle of Man Tram and Summerland Leisure Centre. The fire was contained in an internal space within the walls until it penetrated the interior, destroying the wiring of the fire alarm system in the process. I dont remember the initial Summerlands complex, but I was in Summerlands in the mid 80's; after it was rebuilt and reopened in 1978; I was therer on annual camp with the scouts, that was the year I joined the scouts and that was the reason i joined, the trip to the Isle of Man.What a great time I had there using the swimming pool. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. The first occupants were hunter-gatherers and fishermen. The Summerland concept was new and made the Isle of Man complex unique in the British Isles when the building opened in 1971. Johnny, LaxeySummerland was such a great place to hang out and I would guess that most of the Isle of Man population that was around at the time of the fire is still in shock. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. I WILL RETURN AS THERE IS A KIND OF MAGIC ATTRACTION ABOUT THE ISLAND,I SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER 'THE GEM IN THE IRISH SEA' WAYNE FORD, Crazy Carol, OnchanMoonwalk,rollerskating & swimming, just 3 of the things that kept myself, my brother & cousins entertained for hours. A Cafe. Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) There was no attempt to evacuate the 3,000 people present[5] until the visible evidence of the flames prompted a panic-stricken mass rush for the exits. Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. 8. RM R8WF63 - Oil wells drilled into the bed of the Pacific ocean at Summerland, between Santa Barbara and Los Angleles, California, United States of America, c. 1915. I've got used to passing the site & it not being there but from the boat, going in either direction it's still not the same. sammy hamiltonI worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. See where they filmed this movie from 2020 starring Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Lucas Bond. This devastating fire ripped through a leisure centre in the Isle of Man, killing 50 people and seriously injuring a further 80. It was all shining, it even smelt new. They were each fined 3 (equal to 31.86 in 2020) and ordered to pay 33p compensation and 15p costs. In June of 1832, Cholera arrived on the Isle of Man. Those were the days. Douglas Corporation, aided by grants from the Isle of Man Government, spent 1.5 million on the building and more cash was provided by The International Trust House Forte group who had taken Summerland LTD on as a subsidiary. The year before the fire we were taken to Summerland to watch a syncronised swimming display. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. Tehachapi, CA, US. After another few minutes the flames had spread over the top of the building and were beginning to engulf the whole place, it was horrible to see. The Summerland disaster occurred when a fire spread through the Summerland leisure centre in Douglas on the Isle of Man on the night of 2 August 1973. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. The first responding fire crews realised additional resources would be required and almost every resource available to the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service was mobilised to the incident (93 of its 106 firefighters and all 16 of its engines). This page has been archived and is no longer updated. With the help of the government and Trust House Forte Leisure Ltd the We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. Ian Phillips of Birmingham University suggests these reporting discrepancies explain why some sources have given incorrect death tolls of 49, 51, or 53. I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. It was a climate-controlled building covering 3.5 acres (1.4ha) on Douglas's waterfront, consisting of 50,000sqft (4,600m2) of floor area constructed at a cost of 2 million. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Ramsey is one of the sunniest parts of the Isle of Man, offering walks, fishing, golf, cycling and swimming. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. Two years after its completion in 1971 the high tech promenade venue was the scene of devastation after a fire ripped through the building killing 50 people. Feb 22, 2021 - Manx Electric Railway 26 a 1898 GF Milnes crossbench tram at Derby Castle terminus in Douglas about to push crossbench trailer 56 back to the depot past the rebuilt Summerland on 14 July 1978. I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. JacquiI remember winning a talent contest at Summerland when I was 6 years old.We went to the IOM every year for our summer holidays. "So far the best Chinese I had on the Island ( and I lived 3 years in China) t.". The end of a holiday dream At 8:00 p.m. on 2 August 1973, Summerland, a leisure centre on the Isle of Man as shown in Figure 1, was seen to be on fire. On August 2, 1973, at about 20.00, a fire in a kiosk close to Summerland, Isle of Man, started a conflagration and caused the death of 50 people. We actually visited the Summerland on the day of the fire, I can remember the night of the fire, we were staying in a hotel on the opposite end of the prom, I was there with my cousin and our Mum's and Dad's had gone out for the evening. Denis Cowley QC acted for the Douglas Corporation. We hadn't had decent swimming baths for a long time in Douglas and for that reason alone I couldn't wait to get in and have a look. [1] [2] [3] Background Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. Outside its raining yet here you are relaxed in your shirt sleeves, gently perspiring in a tropical 80 degrees.. the old building demolished. The indoor Summerland leisure complex in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world and its facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in. A lot of people on the Island will never forget what happened on 2nd August 1973. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for LIGHTHOUSE DOUGLAS - ISLE OF MAN ( T30 ) at the best online prices at eBay! (Good move as it happens - I understood later that about 12 people were found dead at the bottom of that staircase, which I seem to recall did not have proper handrails round it, being largely decorative.) Gallery Click to Enlarge. Bid today! The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. The Summerland site is to go on sale after Manx government attempts to find a private development partner failed. I remember walking past Summerland and seeing a rocking horse from a ride stood on its own. [14] No specific individuals or groups were blamed and the deaths were attributed to misadventure, although the delay in evacuation and the flammable building materials were condemned. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. William LeedsI remember going there as a 6 year old. Dr Ian Phillips' book on the Summerland fire, revised in March 2021, is the most comprehensive account ever written of the disaster. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). I remember seeing below us musicians from the group who had been on stage swimming across the learner pool, one of them with his guitar. The burning kiosk collapsed against the exterior of the building. Summerland was such a great place to hang out and I would guess that most of the Isle of Man population that was around at the time of the fire is still in shock. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. 34808 | VAT Registration Number: 001090349 Directors . The island was cut off from the surrounding islands around 8000 BC as sea levels rose following the end of the ice age. Film: Pos - Sound: Mag SOF - Colour - NYFilm: No - LN Number: LN45368 - Available in HD Storyline Go to top Scenes of the aftermath of the Summerland Pleasure Complex fire Categories Go to top Locations: