Home

Summerland Fire Disaster 02nd August 1973

On 2nd August 1973 at 19.40 hrs some boys accidentally set fire to a dismantled kiosk at the Summerland Leisure complex on Douglas promenade.  At 20.01 hrs central fire control in John Street received a 999 call from Duggans radio cabs informing the fire service that the Summerland Leisure Complex on Douglas Promenade was on fire. The sequence of events that followed this tragic fire have been well published in the past but needless to say 50 people perished in this fire and it is the worst British peace time disaster involving fire since 1929.

Fireman Robert Albert Kenna was tragically killed on 4th September 1938 during firefighting operations at Browns Menswear Shop, North Quay, Douglas.  His brother, Station Officer Henry Bertram Kenna (Bert) collapsed and died during firefighting operations at Express Radios, 4 Athol Street, Douglas on 22nd November 1965.

The plaque pictured above can be seen in the seated area next to the fountain on the Ridgeway Sreet junction on Lord Street, Douglas.  This was also the site of the rear of the old Douglas Fire Station in John Street.

Terms of use

     Copyright © IOMFRS 2011