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In May 1979, a fire tore through the Woolworths department store in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens. A blaze that would change British fire safety forever. What began as a small ignition behind a furniture display grew into a full-floor inferno within minutes, fuelled by polyurethane foam and toxic smoke that trapped shoppers and staff on the upper floors.
This episode revisits the incident through modern eyes, unpacking the science, the tactics, and the courage of those who faced the unimaginable. It explores how the tragedy reshaped firefighting knowledge from flow-path control and gas cooling to the understanding that smoke itself is fuel and how the lessons learned in 1979 still guide firefighters on the line today.
A downloadable PDF accompanies this episode, featuring an Instant Overview, Tactical Reflections, and Tactical Takeaways designed for crews and instructors to use as a debrief and training resource.
ACCESS downloadable PDF HERE
Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE
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***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
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By Pete Wakefield5
33 ratings
In May 1979, a fire tore through the Woolworths department store in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens. A blaze that would change British fire safety forever. What began as a small ignition behind a furniture display grew into a full-floor inferno within minutes, fuelled by polyurethane foam and toxic smoke that trapped shoppers and staff on the upper floors.
This episode revisits the incident through modern eyes, unpacking the science, the tactics, and the courage of those who faced the unimaginable. It explores how the tragedy reshaped firefighting knowledge from flow-path control and gas cooling to the understanding that smoke itself is fuel and how the lessons learned in 1979 still guide firefighters on the line today.
A downloadable PDF accompanies this episode, featuring an Instant Overview, Tactical Reflections, and Tactical Takeaways designed for crews and instructors to use as a debrief and training resource.
ACCESS downloadable PDF HERE
Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE
Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE
PODCAST GIFT - FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE
A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.
Send us a text
Support the show
***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.***
Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

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