'It seems they have learned nothing..."

FIRE CHIEFS SLAM PLAN TO SCRAP LEGISLATION INSPIRED BY WOOLWORTHS BLAZE TRAGEDY

- NEAL KEELING

IT WAS a fire in Manchester which would lead to safety changes for Britain.

Ten people died - nine customers and one employee. Thirty people were rescued and 47 taken to hospital.

The blaze at Woolworths in Piccadilly on May 8, 1979, saw the heroic actions of the 114 firefighters save lives. But it was also the trigger for a long safety campaign by the service, led by Assistant County Fire Officer Bob Graham, which ultimately averted thousands of deaths.

Investigations revealed the inferno was fuelled by deadly fumes from polyurethane foam fillings in the furniture department where the blaze started amongst convertible bed settees and double mattresses stacked on end.