BBC Isle of Man, Broadcasting House, Douglas Head, Douglas, Isle of Man IM99 1SW, I was 16 at the time of the fire, like many teeagers in Douglas we spent most of our evenings and many a wet day at Summerland.We could occasionally get served in the bars and if not we roller skated on the big rink downstairs.The night of the fire we had left Summerland to go to the stock cars at Onchan stadium, we got as far as the Catholic church in Oncan park when we saw a thin column of black smoke and people began to gather at the cliff top overlooking the site.We ran across the golf course watching the smoke grow, by the time we reached the cliff, half of the seaward wall of Summerland was blazing with a thick sheet of jet black smoke rising hundreds of feet.From our viewpoint we watched the fire spread over the huge oroglas canopy and saw thousands of people pouring out of the doors.When the events of 9/11 were shown on tv it reminded me of Douglas prom that night, teeming with shocked people and emergency vehicles flying up and down.We ended up in the Granada hotel trying to phone our parents to tell them we were ok but the phones were busy.The next morning the whole town stank of burnt plastic and vans instead of ambulannces ferried the dead to a makeshift mortuary.I didn't loose anyone and I dont have nightmares, but it was a dark part of my childhood and a memory that is still often in my thoughts. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. The fire quickly spread across the sheeting on the leisure centre walls and roof, and through vents which were not properly fireproofed. 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). 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. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. Her Name was Julie Panter, and her friend Dawn Ellingham wrote to me to tell me this. LIGHTHOUSE DOUGLAS - ISLE OF MAN ( T30 ) | eBay 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. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. I worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. I was 9 and on holiday with my Mum, brother and Uncle Peter (Mum's brother), the aim of the holiday being to give Mum a break after my Dad had died following a long illness. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). Summerland Series: The Cave - Gef - Isle of Man The lower floors were geared towards children and teenagers, with a disco, fairground. With a year-round programme of shows and events, there's plenty of ENTERTAINMENT on offer at VillaGaiety. 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. It bears the names of those killed in the fire and is set into a circle of paving, alongside a stone laid earlier to mark the 25th anniversary. I remember walking past Summerland and seeing a rocking horse from a ride stood on its own. Noel Skillicorn, LiverpoolSummerland for me, like many others who grew up on the Island was one of the main places that you could find entertainment of all forms from Rollerskating through to catching a afternoon film in the cinema. In 1973, the Summerland Complex suffered a tragic accidental Douglas (Man The Summerland fire, according to the independent report into the blaze, will remain a permanent scar in the minds of Manxmen.. 30 Mar 2023 - 05 Apr 2023 +. tracyI am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. This button displays the currently selected search type. I remember the music and noise of people just enjoying themselves. 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. [1] [2] [3] Background Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. I finished work on the 1st of August after working in the bar because Ihad run out of money. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) A report commissioned by the Lieutenant Governor in 1973 stated that the blaze was the worst peacetime fire disaster in the British Isles since 1929. last updated: 04/04/2008 at 15:38created: 03/04/2008. Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. Those were the days. I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. mike howarthI was at summerland in august 1973,and went to the groovey disco underneath,but it seemed a bit lacking in atmosphere compared to the clubs in Manchester.I was also in Douglas when Summerland set on fire and joined the long queue of people donating blood for the victims. Summerland Leisure Complex Douglas Isle of Man IM99 2TB Tel: +44 (0) 1624 625511 The Site Facilities Include: Cinema Children's Soft Play Area Squash Badminton Basketball Five-a-Side Football Tennis Rollerskating Volleyball Indoor Golf Simulator Sports Bar Nightclub Spa Suite Future of Summerland Site 5 October 2010 It was an example of Modernist architecture incorporating advanced controlled internal climate, built with novel construction techniques using new plastic materials. SUMMERLANDS B&B - Reviews, Photos (Ramsey) - Tripadvisor I was 5 at the time. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. While children were entertained in the theatre, parents could relax upstairs. [10], Because of the locked fire doors, many people headed to the main entrance, which caused a crush.[9]. At first we thought it was only a small fire but we soon became aware that it was a lot more serious. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man. The Majestic. 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. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. What's On - Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man 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. Behind the stage was the huge rock face. I was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. 'We are keenly aware that the Castle Mona is a key heritage asset for the Isle of Man and extremely mindful of the great interest that the Manx public have in the property. Summerland for me, like many others who grew up on the Island was one of the main places that you could find entertainment of all forms from Rollerskating through to catching a afternoon film in the cinema. [11] Around 80 people were seriously injured in the resulting crush and fire and received physical and mental scars. Just then I distinctly remember seeing a small flicker of light at the base of the building on the West side thinking it was someone with a torch or something, as it was getting dusky. I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. [12] The fire brigade's provisional total of 51 deaths at the scene was subsequently revised down to 48, and two others died in hospital, one in Douglas on 11 August and the other in Scotland on 29 September; the latter is excluded from the Isle of Man coroner's list of 49 deaths. I loved it so much and will always remember it . 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. sammy hamiltonI worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. 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. The site was acquired by Douglas Corporation in 1964 and THE 10 BEST Chinese Restaurants in Isle of Man (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor I am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. The west wall remains intact as there is concern that its removal may cause the adjacent cliff to collapse. [4], Summerland was designed to accommodate up to 10,000 tourists and consisted of a dance hall, five floors of holiday games, a rollerskating rink, restaurants and public bars. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find average house prices, current average values, other historic property data & request a valuation from an estate agent. [1] [2] [3] County: . What a great place. Summerland fire disaster, Isle of Man | 2nd August 1973 This devastating fire ripped through a leisure centre in the Isle of Man, killing 50 people and seriously injuring a further 80. NOTHING! I was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. It took me a long time to go on holiday again. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. Canada Revenue 1/5 Excise Tax Matchbook "SUMMERLAND GROCETERIA" West Summerland C$10.00 Seller: DeveneyStamps ( 4410 ) They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. We had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. William LeedsI remember going there as a 6 year old. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. Those were the days. The burning kiosk collapsed against the exterior of the building. The plans took years to finalise. Just then I distinctly remember seeing a small flicker of light at the base of the building on the West side thinking it was someone with a torch or something, as it was getting dusky. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Isle of Man: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph 1399644 at the best online prices at eBay! I was 7 and on holiday with family,that inluded aunts,uncles and cousins.A lot of us had been holdaying in Douglas that week and we spent a lot of time in Summerland.It was a great place to spend the day.It had all the ammenities ,everything you wanted was there,a funfare ,indoor heated swimming pool,indoor amusement arcade.It had bars,a disco's everything.On the night of the fire, we just finished our evening meal in our hotel and we began walking up Douglas promenade ,going towards Summerland,when we noticed smoke billowing up from behind the building,the next instant the entire building was engulfed in flames.I remember seeing people pouring out of the building,some were on fire,it was horrific.We were standing some distance away and I could not take my eyes off it.The explosions from the burning building boomed across Douglas bay.I had never seen so many injured people before and it is something that I wll never forget.The following morning we all cut our holiday short and returned home,as the ferry was leaving Douglas we all stood on the boat deck ,staring at the burnt out shell of Summerland.Have never been back to IOM since that terrible fire. Gallery Click to Enlarge. When they couldnt locate me they began their search for me on the prom. Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! It wasn't until we were on the promenade at a safe distance that I looked back to see the building completely engulfed in flames. My Mum and I started to go towards a spiral staircase which led towards the main entrance but my uncle steered us further along the gallery to where there were fire exits leading to the swimming pool area. And the name, it was just called the summerland play area, or Barry Nobles arcade before that (not to be confused with the one that was opposite Woolworths) Summerland, Isle of Man 'The inferno was racing towards me': survivors of the Summerland fire Opened with much fanfare a little more than two years earlier on 25 May 1971, the 2m climate-controlled building boasted restaurants and bars, an indoor heated swimming pool, saunas, a children's theatre and an underground disco. 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 Location. Now it's completely gone & it is a shame but they will hopefully put something back there for the manx & visitors to enjoy & make their amemories last a lifetime too. Condition is excellent. Summerland was fulfilling its promise of taking Manx tourism into the future. 7. vox pop older man re. 'I need to speak to the three Liverpool friends who started the [16], Soon after the disaster, John Hinnigan was brought in from Blackburn fire and rescue to become the new chief. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. BBC - Isle of Man - History - Where the sun always shines The year before the fire we were taken to Summerland to watch a syncronised swimming display.

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