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Kingsway Fire in
Southport
THE historic landmark knows as
the Kingsway, on Coronation Walk in Southport, which opened in 1931,
was gutted on Monday night, 6 September 2010. The alarm was received
just after 8pm of the fire at the now disused Night Club on
Southport Promenade, but by, then the fire was well established on
the 3 floors. The venue was earmarked for demolition as part of a
new £9m redevelopment scheme. In its heyday, during the 1960’s as
The Kingsway Club, it was well favoured and popular. Several famous
stars performed there among whom was drummer Ringo Starr who made
his Beatles debut there in 1962. Other acts, such as Tom Jones and
Cilla Black performed there. It later served as a Casino and Bingo
Hall but was closed round about 2007.
Police and Fire Officers cordoned off areas and 7 fire appliances
and 2 aerials, from across Merseyside and other areas, were deployed
to quell the flames, later followed by several others. At the height
of the blaze, around 50 fire fighters and 12 appliances were in
attendance. The ravaging fire destroyed most of the building, which
was deemed to be unstable and unsafe for officers to enter, so only
external measures were continued. Fortunately, no one is believed to
be inside where the wind fanned furnace - like flames and dense smoke
into a hellish spectacle.
The remaining hulk was razed on Wednesday, 8 September 2010. All the
roads around the venue had been closed, until the
demolition took place because of the risk of further walls
collapsing.
It is sad to see the end of a building with so much history. The
cause of the blaze is still to be discovered.
Manchester based business is hoping to develop 54 apartments, a 100
bed hotel along with 4,000 sq feet of retail space on the site. When
interviewed by the media, Director of Woodthrope Homes, Mr Kevin
Hegarty said:- “I was in Dublin when I got the call about the
fire. When I was called about the fire I was on the
hands free and I very nearly crashed my car. Looking at the building
now, I can only see one outcome, although it is not my call. I
cannot believe it has happened. I am glad no one was injured.”
Archived Reports:-
Link 1 |
Link 2
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