Fireman's wedding disaster

For many years the closing event at the Gillingham Park fete had been a display to publicise the work of the Gillingham Fire Brigade, whose members staged a ‘rescue’ of a wedding party from a simulated fire in a replica house. The display at the fete of 11 July 1929 went tragically wrong and real flames engulfed the house and its occupants. Despite the presence of the Fire Brigade, 15 people were burned to death in front of a crowd that contained many of their relatives.

For more information contact Medway Archives and Local Studies by telephone: 01634 332714 or by email: malsc@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Medway Archives and Local Studies, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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