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50th anniversary of the Poultry Market fire |
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A special service was held yesterday on January 23 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Poultry Market fire, during which two London Fire Brigade firefighters lost their lives. Station Officer Jack Fourt- Wells and Firefighter Richard Stocking died while tackling the blaze on Smithfield Street on January 23, 1958. At 0200 that morning the brigade was called to the Union Cold Storage company where they found smoke coming out of the lift shafts. Around a thousand firefighters from 58 fire stations fought the blaze throughout the day. Deputy Commissioner of London Fire Brigade Roy Bishop, Superintendent of the Smithfield Market Robert Wilson and Smithfield Market Tenants’ Association Deputy Chairman, Mark Twogood laid wreaths at the City of London Corporation’s Smithfield Market. Other members of the brigade joined traders and workers, including those who witnessed the fire which raged for four days 50 years ago at the service. Deputy Commissioner Roy Bishop said “This is a landmark fire in the history of London and its Fire Brigade. It is important that we remember this tragic fire and honour the memory of the two London firefighters who lost their lives.” Smithfield Market Tenants’ Association Deputy Chairman, Mark Twogood said: “The dedication shown by all those firemen involved in fighting the fire in this Market in 1958 epitomises the service which Londoners know the fire brigade is ready to deliver every day.”
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