On the evening of Thursday 2nd August 1973 an estimated 3,000 people were enjoying themselves at the resort. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. 6. vox pops boys re. My Mum persuaded me not to stay any longer in the childrens' play area in the basement, so we returned to the gallery area overlooking the stage/dancefloor to join my brother and uncle. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. The queue to get into the swimming pool with my Mum, Dad & brother and of course the smell. The fire started at around 7:30p.m. on 2 August 1973 when approximately 3,000 people were inside,[5] and was caused by three boys who were smoking in a small disused kiosk,[6] on the centre's miniature golf course[7] and who told police it was likely started by a carelessly discarded match or stub. Location: Isle of Man Date Posted: 4/5/2017 2:49:35 PM Waymark Code: WMVDNA Bid today! 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. LOCATION From the Sea Terminal proceed the length of the Promenade. Denis Cowley QC acted for the Douglas Corporation. 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. But things got a little more decadent when you ventured underground. Summerland was an odd mix of styles: one half light, airy and modern; the other windowless and concrete. 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. Kayti Summerland signed up 2022-08-04 22:08:04 -0400. (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). The house has 4 good sized reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen, basement, 4 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom and separate wc and family bathroom. 8. 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. I survived that terrible disaster. It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. [9] The centre was seriously damaged by the fire. I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. Game & Entertainment Centers. 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. It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. The site was acquired by Douglas Corporation in 1964 and The Summerland concept was new and made the Isle of Man complex unique in the British Isles when the building opened in 1971. Douglas (Man The Summerland Tragedy, Isle of Man.On the 2nd of August, 1973, a fire broke out in . 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. 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. The rest is of course history. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. complex was rebuilt in 1976 and opened again in 1978. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. 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. Douglas Corporation, aided by grants from the Isle of Man Government, spent 1.5 million on the building and more cash was provided by The International Trust House Forte group who had taken Summerland LTD on as a subsidiary. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. We never knew if she saved our lives. Seconds later the light grew to a flame a few feet high, then within no time at all there were large flames extending the whole height of the side of the building I was frozen in shock watching what was kicking off. 2. ws Summerland after fire - skeleton of building. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. There was a charming wooden see saw, slide and roundabout. Figure 2 shows where the fire initially started, and it spread quickly over the building faade. The west wall remains intact as there is concern that its removal may cause the adjacent cliff to collapse. It took me a long time to go on holiday again. 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. The venue attracted thousands of people to the. 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. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. 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. 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. Two years after its completion in 1971 the high tech promenade venue was the scene of devastation after a fire ripped through the building killing 50 people. On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. Ricky Rooney, DouglasFor me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. fire, which triggered a major change in fire regulations on the Island. 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. It was all shining, it even smelt new. Welcome to Summerland Today! The complex Department of Community, Culture and Leisure announces future of Summerland site, Redevelopment of the Former Summerland Site - The Wave. At first we thought it was only a small fire but we soon became aware that it was a lot more serious. of 1971. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. 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. Property description & features. I lost a couple of pals in the fire. We spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. A lot of people on the Island will never forget what happened on 2nd August 1973. OK.What's with the 3 school-boys, what caused the fire?Accident or sabotage was an investigation carried out?Tell us more! The survivor and her mother were separated from her father and sister and stuck in the venue before being rescued through a window by firemen. I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. We crossed onto the promenade via a walkway which crossed the road, I think. Numerous firms are employing truck drivers in different locations of Canada like Alberta, Ontario, Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Quebec, Ottawa, Calgary, and also great deals of extra. You were certainly spoilt for choice - you could go swimming in 2 lovely new pools, rollerskate or play a multitude of sports in the massive sports hall, moonwalk in a big white type of enclosed bouncy castle (which like everything in there had a distinctive new smell). Lots of wildlife viewing!! 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: 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. We stayed for a week and on all of the 4 nights preceding the evening of the disaster I had been to the complex for a swim and play around with new-found friends. Facts About Isle of Man: Places to Visit in Isle of Man Location Map of UK Cities Where is Aberdeen Where is Basildon Where is Basingstoke Where is Bath belindaI went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. . (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). 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. This devastating fire ripped through a leisure centre in the Isle of Man, killing 50 people and seriously injuring a further 80. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. 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. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. 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! There was a lot of excited anticipation before it opened. Johnny, LaxeySummerland was such a great place to hang out and I would guess that most of the Isle of Man population that was around at the time of the fire is still in shock. As Bob says the smell of the place too & being in there when it was pouring down outside was amazing to us kids. A Cafe. The decor made it look like a tropical fairyland in places with the waterfall which looked like it was tumbling into the building from where the cliff-face was at the rear of the building. The burnt out remains of the centre in September 1973, one month after the fire. [1] [2] [3] Background Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. I was 5 at the time. The year before the fire we were taken to Summerland to watch a syncronised swimming display. When it opened Summerland w [1] [2] [3] The fire services were not called for over 20 minutes,[5] and even then the call did not originate from Summerland. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. There is also significant attic. There are more than 2 filming locations on our site. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. Summerland was rebuilt, but staff and visitors to the site reported the sounds of screaming, hearing footsteps along empty passages, and occasionally seeing ghostly people wandering around the area. There's not much left of the place. See more ideas about summerland, isle of man, brutalist architecture. "A good batter, a tasty sauce, and the excellent fried rice with chives.". The Summerland site is to go on sale after Manx government attempts to find a private development partner failed. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). I had the best holidays ever as a kid in IOM , it is a magical place. 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. was the development of an entertainment complex, which was completed in 1970. Just then I distinctly remember seeing a small flicker of light at the base of the building on the West side thinking it was someone with a torch or something, as it was getting dusky. I 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. STORY. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. JacquiI remember winning a talent contest at Summerland when I was 6 years old.We went to the IOM every year for our summer holidays. [11], One survivor wrote about her experiences from the fire in a book entitled Made in Summerland, which was published in July 2018.[12]. Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) [12] The fire brigade's provisional total of 51 deaths at the scene was subsequently revised down to 48, and two others died in hospital, one in Douglas on 11 August and the other in Scotland on 29 September; the latter is excluded from the Isle of Man coroner's list of 49 deaths. The lower floors were geared towards children and teenagers, with a disco, fairground. We came back to the island the year after the fire and we stayed in Oncan. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted. It took me a long time to go on holiday again. Condition is excellent. The ghost walk at Castle Rushen is said to be one of the best on the island and can be booked here. It was indeed quite glamorous and I know for a fact my mum and dad spent more than a few romantic evenings there, (We kids got packed off to our grandparents house!) The death toll brought about a public inquiry that ran from September 1973 to February 1974. The indoor Summerland leisure complex in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world and its facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in. We came back to the island the year after the fire and we stayed in Oncan. Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. NOTHING! David ButteryI 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. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. Summerlands bed and breakfast (B&B) is a charming and unique house in Ramsey, which has recently been refurbished throughout to a very high standard. 5. My Mum persuaded me not to stay any longer in the childrens' play area in the basement, so we returned to the gallery area overlooking the stage/dancefloor to join my brother and uncle. The average house price in Summerland, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 is . Humans colonised it by travelling by sea some time before 6500 BC. I loved it so much and will always remember it . The Isle of Man [1] ( Manx: Ellan Vannin) is an island in the British Isles, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland.