I was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. It was a tragedy but the happy memories as a child are still vivid even in my late 40's.My thoughts are with those who lost someone dear xx. Film: Pos - Sound: Mag SOF - Colour - NYFilm: No - LN Number: LN45368 - Available in HD Storyline Go to top Scenes of the aftermath of the Summerland Pleasure Complex fire Categories Go to top Locations: Examples of their tools are kept at the Manx Museum. I remember walking past Summerland and seeing a rocking horse from a ride stood on its own. I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. When we finally reached the bottom the firemen were there to guide us out and just as we got outside, the whole place was engulfed by fire. There were 7 floors in total and the building had a capacity for 5 thousand people. It was the brain child of Douglas architect, Mr James Phillips Lomas who had been commissioned by Douglas Corporation to design a building which would attract visitors to the Isle of Man whatever the weather. Now it's completely gone & it is a shame but they will hopefully put something back there for the manx & visitors to enjoy & make their amemories last a lifetime too. Lots of wildlife viewing!! Then with my children to manxland,their first birthday parties, my sisters-in-laws fashion shows & watching cousin's children do ballroom dancing & they're just a handfull of memories!Summerland was a one off & while the Villa Marina is a part of our islands history & heritage, there will never be another place like Summerland - it's in a league of it's own. StuartI was 9 at the time of the Summerland fire and on holiday with my Mum and Dad staying at the Granada Hotel as we always did then. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. The street frontage and part of the roof was clad in Oroglas, a transparent acrylic glass sheeting.[5]. over 1.7 million (government grant of 600,000). The west wall remains intact as there is concern that its removal may cause the adjacent cliff to collapse. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. A couple of the girls had been at the afternoon disco but were on their way back to the digs when the fire must have taken hold. The fire services were not called for over 20 minutes,[5] and even then the call did not originate from Summerland. The 3.5 acre Summerland resort, claiming to be the biggest and most innovative indoor entertainment centre in the world, was hailed by the British Tourist Authority as An outstanding tourist enterprise. I loved it so much and will always remember it . I've got used to passing the site & it not being there but from the boat, going in either direction it's still not the same. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. We saw the fire take hold and like many others my parents were shocked and crying at the horror of the tragic loss of life. I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. Condition is excellent. We never knew if she saved our lives. While children were entertained in the theatre, parents could relax upstairs. was the development of an entertainment complex, which was completed in 1970. ! 1. is now owned and operated by the Department of Tourism and Leisure. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. When we noticed the black smoke to one end of the building - and the crowds looking in that direction - we started to move towards the exit. . We went to the shops on the prom and I still have Minnie the clockwork mouse to this day. 30 Mar 2023 - 05 Apr 2023 +. We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. The island is in desperate need of some alternative. celiaI was on holiday at the IOM with a group of girl friends the week of the Summerland fire. We were there the night before the fire, we just thatought the "moving staircase" by the front door was the best thing ever. The panic started and we all headed for the fire exit down the steps, only to find the doors were locked. I feel there should always be something incorporated into whatever is built or put on the site to commemmorate the people who died. We found them distraught watching the flames as they thought we were in the building. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. After a geotechnical team determined that the blocks could not be safely stabilised or removed, and that there was a risk they would fall into the buildings below, the site was scheduled for demolition. These proposals will necessitate significant investment but will enable us to rectify core issues that have compromised the integrity of the building in recent years, such . Overview. mike howarthI was at summerland in august 1973,and went to the groovey disco underneath,but it seemed a bit lacking in atmosphere compared to the clubs in Manchester.I was also in Douglas when Summerland set on fire and joined the long queue of people donating blood for the victims. We crossed onto the promenade via a walkway which crossed the road, I think. The year before the fire we were taken to Summerland to watch a syncronised swimming display. [1][2][3], Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. 4 bedroom semi-detached house for sale in Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey, IM8 for 420,000. There's not much left of the place. We actually visited the Summerland on the day of the fire, I can remember the night of the fire, we were staying in a hotel on the opposite end of the prom, I was there with my cousin and our Mum's and Dad's had gone out for the evening. It had been a last minute holiday booking and to this day I will not go on a last miniute booking holiday. Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) We spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. [1] [2] [3] The first drawings materialised in 1965 but hundreds were drafted out before building work actually started. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. The first responding fire crews realised additional resources would be required and almost every resource available to the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service was mobilised to the incident (93 of its 106 firefighters and all 16 of its engines). A period semi-detached double fronted town house built circa 1864, set along a quiet cul-de-sac, yet within easy walking distance of the shops and cafes of Parliament Street. But things got a little more decadent when you ventured underground. Add Your Event View All 04 March Saturday Manx Amateur Drama Federation Coffee Morning View 10:00 - 12:00 Current Weather 9 4 03 March Friday 8 4 The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. tracyI am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. The Summerland concept was new and made the Isle of Man complex unique in the British Isles when the building opened in 1971. Behind the stage was the huge rock face. To experience Summerland at that time was special and afterall, what has the Government ever done since to improve our quality of life here in the IOM. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. Douglas (Man [1] [2] [3] Background Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. The house has 4 good sized reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen, basement, 4 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom and separate wc and family bathroom. [19][20], On other anniversaries of the disaster many memorials take place, such as a memorial concert and a moment of silence at the location which is now a vacant site. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. [7] The coastguard immediately called the fire brigade. The fire was contained in an internal space within the walls until it penetrated the interior, destroying the wiring of the fire alarm system in the process. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home. After a couple of hours frozen to the spot I remember seeing my Mum running towards me and picking me up, crying and hugging me as if she hadnt seen me in years or something. A period semi-detached double fronted town house built circa 1864, set along a quiet cul-de-sac, yet within easy walking distance of the shops and cafes of Parliament Street. The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. When Summerland opened it was sensational here on the IOM. When it opened Summerland w I survived that terrible disaster. The ghost walk at Castle Rushen is said to be one of the best on the island and can be booked here. Locations. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. I dont remember the initial Summerlands complex, but I was in Summerlands in the mid 80's; after it was rebuilt and reopened in 1978; I was therer on annual camp with the scouts, that was the year I joined the scouts and that was the reason i joined, the trip to the Isle of Man.What a great time I had there using the swimming pool. The fire spread to the wall's interior soundproofing material, which was highly combustible, causing an intense fire that ignited the flammable acrylic sheeting that covered the rest of the building. Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. What a great place. My dad played a lot of squash so I was always there watching him, well trying.. it took me years to be tall enough to see over from the spectators gallery properly.Every weekend it would either be rollerskating, swimming or the play area in the day and at night we would come back for the cabaret and more time in the play area.Through the week I would be in Summerland for 5-a-side football and swimming lessons with my school.For years I knew nothing about the fire but was told by my parents at a sensible age, from this moment on I wanted to know what the place looked like as their description made it sound out of this world and it was!I have spent many an hour researching everything Summerland.I have to admit I did feel very sad when I saw this place coming down.A newer more aesthetically pleasing version needs to be built, we need a more resourceful entertainment complex on the Island, everthing under one roof.. like Summerland! This was on the 2nd floor. It was a climate-controlled building covering 3.5 acres (1.4ha) on Douglas's waterfront, consisting of 50,000sqft (4,600m2) of floor area constructed at a cost of 2 million. I remember winning a talent contest at Summerland when I was 6 years old.We went to the IOM every year for our summer holidays. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. We went back when they rebuilt it but it didn't have the same atmosphere & at first people almost seemed to be looking over their shoulders as if they were waiting for something to happen, it was strange. After a couple of hours frozen to the spot I remember seeing my Mum running towards me and picking me up, crying and hugging me as if she hadnt seen me in years or something. On the night of the fire my Mum and Dad were taking me to see the Black & White minstrels, my much older brother and sister didn't want to go and went on the prom. Experts searching the wreckage. My parents had gone for a drink and I was looking after myself on my own in the safety that was 1973 in the fantastic Isle of Man. keith jamiesonI was 7 and on holiday with family,that inluded aunts,uncles and cousins.A lot of us had been holdaying in Douglas that week and we spent a lot of time in Summerland.It was a great place to spend the day.It had all the ammenities ,everything you wanted was there,a funfare ,indoor heated swimming pool,indoor amusement arcade.It had bars,a disco's everything.On the night of the fire, we just finished our evening meal in our hotel and we began walking up Douglas promenade ,going towards Summerland,when we noticed smoke billowing up from behind the building,the next instant the entire building was engulfed in flames.I remember seeing people pouring out of the building,some were on fire,it was horrific.We were standing some distance away and I could not take my eyes off it.The explosions from the burning building boomed across Douglas bay.I had never seen so many injured people before and it is something that I wll never forget.The following morning we all cut our holiday short and returned home,as the ferry was leaving Douglas we all stood on the boat deck ,staring at the burnt out shell of Summerland.Have never been back to IOM since that terrible fire. The building's exterior and the interior were designed by two different architectsthey did not coordinate their planning with each other and thereby created a venue with significant fire risks that were to become apparent only later. The worst thing was I could hear screams even from that distance, this has haunted me to this day. STORY. There are more than 2 filming locations on our site. of 1971. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. Map. I am a surviver of this tragedy.I still have nightmares. I was 5 at the time. (Good move as it happens - I understood later that about 12 people were found dead at the bottom of that staircase, which I seem to recall did not have proper handrails round it, being largely decorative.) They were each fined 3 (equal to 31.86 in 2020) and ordered to pay 33p compensation and 15p costs. William LeedsI remember going there as a 6 year old. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. I remember going there as a 6 year old. The state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in. It bears the names of those killed in the fire and is set into a circle of paving, alongside a stone laid earlier to mark the 25th anniversary. While many escaped the inferno unharmed, the incident claimed 50 lives and seriously injured 80. I was told that the drummer from the show we had been watching did not make it. Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. jilliani loved summerland it was amazing the play area and the skating the swim baths and all shame the way things went, WAYNE FORDHI, I PLAYED THE SUMMERLAND DISCO WITH MY BAND 'ROCOCO' THE YEAR BEFORE THE FIRE,I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO REMEMBERS 'ROCOCO' I HAVE SOME VERY FOND MEMORIES OF MY TIME THERE, I HAVE VISITED THE ISLAND ONCE SINCE THEN,QUITE BY CHANCE IT WAS THE YEAR BEFORE THE DEMOLITION TOOK PLACE,BUT I SUPPOSE I COULD SAY GOODBYE. At the time Summerland was one of the most. The Summerland site is to go on sale after Manx government attempts to find a private development partner failed. The panic started and we all headed for the fire exit down the steps, only to find the doors were locked. On 17 September 1973, three Liverpool boys two of them 12 and the other 14 appeared before Douglas Juvenile Court and admitted wilfully and unlawfully damaging the lock of a plastic kiosk next to Summerland. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. Inside the centre he included plans for an indoor heated swimming pool, saunas, Turkish baths, an artificial sunshine zone, a childrens theatre, an underground disco, cascading waterfalls, restaurants and bars all with live entertainment throughout the day. Tehachapi, CA, US. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. 4. vs damage to building. Bit by bit over the years things would start to disappear, until by the end there was only "Manxland" left, my son really enjoyed palying there with all his cousins & it was a great place for Mums to meet on a Saturday & have a coffee while the kids played, we did that for a lot of years. Phase II If you like to see Seven Sisters - view in Seaford, United Kingdom or any other wonderful filming locations from Summerland, start scrolling. In The Summerland Story written by Robert Kelly he promotes the centre as a holiday town where it never rains, the wind never blows and the temperature never gets chilly. Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. The Summerland leisure complex in the Isle of Man, a popular tourist destination for many years, closed its doors for the last time in 2018. The latter idea was eventually scrapped when it was discovered some of the birds were poisoning themselves by eating the plastic foliage. I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. The state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in the British Isles. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. The fire exits - clear glass ones, all in a row - were locked which I guessed afterwards was to prevent people paying for access to one area and then going to the other as well. Tehachapi, CA, US. A period semi-detached double fronted town house built circa 1864, set along a quiet cul-de-sac, yet within easy walking distance of the shops and cafes of Parliament Street. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world and its state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map. But the dream was short lived. "Services weren't equipped for Summerland disaster", "Article about the disaster based on the report by Dr Ian Philips", "Remembering the Summerland fire disaster, 40 years on", "Isle of Man 'shame' over Summerland fire disaster", "Remembering The Summerland Disaster 40 Years On", "Asbestos information centretrade names", "Summerland fire survivor: 'I don't blame dad for saving my sister and leaving me in blaze but I never got to tell him', "Summerland fire: Fifty victims remembered on anniversary", "Summerland disaster survivor: 'I still dream of people in flames', "THE SUMMERLAND SITE IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY", "Summerland fire memorial built to mark 40th anniversary", "Summerland fire victims remembered on 40th anniversary", 1972 amateur film of pre-disaster Summerland, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Summerland_disaster&oldid=1142829611, Fire disasters involving barricaded escape routes, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 16:12. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. xx. We went to the shops on the prom and I still have Minnie the clockwork mouse to this day. We were first alerted to it by the noise from the fire engines.Looking out the window of the boarding house we saw the flames. I feel there should always be something incorporated into whatever is built or put on the site to commemmorate the people who died. At 8:00 p.m. on 2 August 1973, Summerland, a leisure centre on the Isle of Man as shown in Figure 1, was seen to be on fire. My Mum and I started to go towards a spiral staircase which led towards the main entrance but my uncle steered us further along the gallery to where there were fire exits leading to the swimming pool area. We would spend alot of time up there because of the pool and because they could keep and eye on us and have a drink at the same time. Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2SE Registered in the Isle of Man No. A lot of people on the Island will never forget what happened on 2nd August 1973. With the building also suffering from concrete cancer, the remainder of the site closed in 2004, and demolition began in January 2006. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. Much thought was given to bringing a sunshine-feel to the building. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. . complex was rebuilt in 1976 and opened again in 1978. Property reference . Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. xx. Marketed by Chrystals, Isle of Man We spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. Zoom in to cu of Summerland Complex and fire damage 2. vs fire damage 3. Summerland complex, Isle of Man Isle of Man Tram and Summerland Leisure Centre. OK.What's with the 3 school-boys, what caused the fire?Accident or sabotage was an investigation carried out?Tell us more! I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world and its state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. The fire quickly spread across the sheeting on the leisure centre walls and roof, and through vents which were not properly fireproofed. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. See more ideas about summerland, isle of man, brutalist architecture. BBC Isle of Man, Broadcasting House, Douglas Head, Douglas, Isle of Man IM99 1SW, I was 16 at the time of the fire, like many teeagers in Douglas we spent most of our evenings and many a wet day at Summerland.We could occasionally get served in the bars and if not we roller skated on the big rink downstairs.The night of the fire we had left Summerland to go to the stock cars at Onchan stadium, we got as far as the Catholic church in Oncan park when we saw a thin column of black smoke and people began to gather at the cliff top overlooking the site.We ran across the golf course watching the smoke grow, by the time we reached the cliff, half of the seaward wall of Summerland was blazing with a thick sheet of jet black smoke rising hundreds of feet.From our viewpoint we watched the fire spread over the huge oroglas canopy and saw thousands of people pouring out of the doors.When the events of 9/11 were shown on tv it reminded me of Douglas prom that night, teeming with shocked people and emergency vehicles flying up and down.We ended up in the Granada hotel trying to phone our parents to tell them we were ok but the phones were busy.The next morning the whole town stank of burnt plastic and vans instead of ambulannces ferried the dead to a makeshift mortuary.I didn't loose anyone and I dont have nightmares, but it was a dark part of my childhood and a memory that is still often in my thoughts. There were two phases in the building I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. [10], Because of the locked fire doors, many people headed to the main entrance, which caused a crush.[9]. We went back when they rebuilt it but it didn't have the same atmosphere & at first people almost seemed to be looking over their shoulders as if they were waiting for something to happen, it was strange. Catherine WoodhouseI was 9 and on holiday with my Mum, brother and Uncle Peter (Mum's brother), the aim of the holiday being to give Mum a break after my Dad had died following a long illness. from when I was an infant until I was a teenager.Also my dad and his friend used to have such fun jumping on the beaded filled cushions in the solariumI also remember being at home in Liverpool watching the blaze on TV and crying becuase I would never be able to go there again. Humans colonised it by travelling by sea some time before 6500 BC. "So far the best Chinese I had on the Island ( and I lived 3 years in China) t.". After another few minutes the flames had spread over the top of the building and were beginning to engulf the whole place, it was horrible to see. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. carol burnsI survived that terrible disaster. I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. Location: Isle of Man Date Posted: 4/5/2017 2:49:35 PM Waymark Code: WMVDNA The rest is of course history. the old building demolished. Behind the stage was the huge rock face. It had been a last minute holiday booking and to this day I will not go on a last miniute booking holiday. Welcome to Summerland Today! I was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. Bid today! The Summerland disaster occurred when a fire spread through the Summerland leisure centre in Douglas on the Isle of Man on the night of 2 August 1973. My dad played a lot of squash so I was always there watching him, well trying.. it took me years to be tall enough to see over from the spectators gallery properly.Every weekend it would either be rollerskating, swimming or the play area in the day and at night we would come back for the cabaret and more time in the play area.Through the week I would be in Summerland for 5-a-side football and swimming lessons with my school.For years I knew nothing about the fire but was told by my parents at a sensible age, from this moment on I wanted to know what the place looked like as their description made it sound out of this world and it was!I have spent many an hour researching everything Summerland.I have to admit I did feel very sad when I saw this place coming down.A newer more aesthetically pleasing version needs to be built, we need a more resourceful entertainment complex on the Island, everthing under one roof.. like Summerland!
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