British Moulded Hose factory Fire 1961

By Ron Evans

While leaving the Mocha bar café on this day in 1961. Fire engines left the old fire station in the high street at full speed bells clanging and sped toward the town hall roundabout. They then headed up St Albans road, we followed in hot pursuit, in my old ford anglia.

We lost sight of them at the traffic lights in St Albans road but by then the plume of smoke was a big clue as to where they were going. It turned out to be a fire at the British Moulded Hose factory in North Watford. 

I had my trusty old Agfa camara with me. After all these years - 50 to be exact - here are the photos, the memory still vivid. Where did that 50 years go?

Photo:BMH Fire
Photo:BMH Fire
Photo:BMH Fire
Photo:BMH Fire

Comments about this page

Thanks for sharing these photos Ron. I was 11 at the time and was staying with a friend in nearby Knutsford Ave when this fire broke out. I remember well the dreadful acrid rubber smelling smoke and the large crowd that gathered to witness the biggest fire in the area for a long time. It burnt for ages before being brought under control and now I would be concerned for the local residents, insurance costs, damage to the environment, etc but at the time it was very exciting to an 11 year old!

By Mike Seaman
On 20/03/2012

Add a comment about this page