Explore the haunting images of Hull’s most tragic fires and their impact on the community
Hull: These fires at some of Hull’s most famous spots have really stuck with people. They were intense and left a mark on the community.
Some fires ended in heartbreak, while others left folks without jobs. It was a tough wake-up call, but now there are better safety measures in place. Luckily, the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service is top-notch, so big fires like these don’t happen often.
Old photos from the Hull Daily Mail show some of the worst fires in the city’s history.
One of the saddest incidents was the fire at Wensley Lodge in Hessle on January 5, 1977. It started in room 11, and 65 firefighters rushed in to help.
They managed to get 21 of the 49 residents to Hull Royal Infirmary. Sadly, despite their bravery, 11 people lost their lives, making it the deadliest fire in Hull.
In September 1980, a man named Peter Dinsdale, who was nicknamed Bruce Lee, was arrested for the fire but was later cleared. He was found guilty of other arson cases that led to 15 deaths, but the Wensley Lodge fire’s cause is still unknown.
Another major fire happened on November 2, 1988, at the Humbrol paint factory on Hedon Road. It was so fierce that people could see it from far away. Tragically, a 17-year-old girl lost her life that day.
Then there was the dramatic fire at the Royal Station Hotel in the city center on October 7, 1990. With 140 guests inside, it took 11 hours to get the fire under control, and 11 people ended up in the hospital.
