The Summerland fire disaster occurred in a sports and entertainment centre in Douglas, Isle of Man on 2 August 1973 and caused 51 fatalities.
The Summerland leisure complex opened in 1971 and was the largest on the Isle of Man. It had an advanced controlled internal climate, and was built with novel construction techniques, using new plastic materials.
On 2 August 1973 a fire started, possibly from cigarettes, and then quickly spread through vents which were not properly fire proofed. The plastic roof of the complex melted quickly, stoking the fire with oxygen and releasing noxious chemicals inside.
51 people died in the fire. The number of fatalities was worsened by the failure of power supplies and emergency generators, inadequate ventilation and locked fire doors.
An official inquiry after the disaster introduced new fire regulations for the construction industry.
Summerland was rebuilt in 1978, and was demolished in 2004.
See also
Last updated: 08-20-2005 21:30:47
