28 replies to this topic

[Lowe House Boy]

After I mentioned the old Boots building collapsing in the 1950s on another thread,it got me thinking back to other disasters in St.Helens in the past.
One of the ones I always remember was when Oxleys department store burnt down. Can,t remember the year but I know it was completly detroyed.

[gilly]

Gas explosion at the Railway hotel corner of Shaw and George sts mid 70's was 1 I remember.

[Lowe House Boy]

gilly, on 19 June 2011 - 01:21 PM, said:

Gas explosion at the Railway hotel corner of Shaw and George sts mid 70's was 1 I remember.

Good start Gilly, I had forgotten that one.

[non sibi sed omnibus]

there was another smaller shop incident in bridge st.near to church st end.big fire of st.thomas church westfield street also.

[familyman]

Don't if this has been mentioned elsewhere but wasn't there an incident near to where the old Fleece hotel used to be. Didn't it involve a building block falling from the roof or from height,or am I getting confused with something else.

[Le200]

I remember reading about it in the Star familyman, I think it was either during or just after the really bad winds we had a few years ago.

How far into the past are we going?
There was the train crash at Sutton Junction in the 1930s (I think but defo wouldn't remember it)

[Dicky D]

familyman, on 19 June 2011 - 08:49 PM, said:

Don't if this has been mentioned elsewhere but wasn't there an incident near to where the old Fleece hotel used to be. Didn't it involve a building block falling from the roof or from height,or am I getting confused with something else.

This happened when Barclays bank was being refurbished and a coping stone fell from the top of the building. A man was killed and I believe the little girl who was holding his hand at the time was unhurt.

[non sibi sed omnibus]

incident was in hardshaw street where the heavy sandstone blocks were.was actually only talking about it a few weeks ago.dont remember people involved but were adult and child.

[Lowe House Boy]

non sibi sed omnibus, on 19 June 2011 - 06:19 PM, said:

there was another smaller shop incident in bridge st.near to church st end.big fire of st.thomas church westfield street also.

I think the one you are thinking of was when during some building work on Liptons in Bridge St. there was some sort of collapse. It was a real tradgedy with a Mrs.Caine and her little daughter being fatally injured. I think it was 1960 or 61.

[boxkey4]

www.old-merseytimes.co.uk plenty of info,pit disasters,old pubs etc.

Edited by boxkey4, 25 June 2011 - 06:43 PM.

[karenjblack]

I remember being told about a train incident that happened in the forties. I'm not clear on the details, but I think the train, not sure if it was a goods or passenger came off the bridge at Worsley Brow/Sutton Road. My aunt was playing nearby and was lucky not to be hit by it.

[warringtonsaint]

I think the one when the stone fell off a roof was in the late 60s.

Can we call the explosion at the Railway pub a disaster really - don't think anyone was hurt in it were they?

[jinx]

I don`t think it`s only called a disaster when there`s a tragedy, I can remember a couple of railway waggons breaking loose from a train going up the steep bank towards
Thatto Heath and careering down the track into St Helens station,I can`t remember if anyone was hurt.

[Dave]

The Barclays Bank one was in the early 70s. It was a fellow pupil (from Rivvi) whose dad was killed.

[Handsome Johnny]

challenge cup final 1987? wigan 27 stains 0