Morledge Street factory fire
31/10/2002 Leicester, UK
Type of Fire
Hydrocarbon
Ignition Source
Deliberate
Duration
Several hours
Casualties
1 fatality
Cost
Cost of life, building repairs, legal action against defendant
What happened at Morledge Street, Leicester in 2002?
On 31 October 2002 a fire broke out at a disused factory/warehouse on Morledge Street in Leicester. It would tragically claim the life of firefighter Bob Miller, 44.
The three-storey building measured 50m x 75m - its top two floors were involved in the fire, which required the resources of 95 firefighters from the city and county, fighting the blaze using six jets and breathing apparatus.
How did the Morledge Street factory fire start?
The fire was started and reported by drug users inside the building attempting to keep warm. The fire was fuelled by wood, paper and cardboard resulting in the production of black and grey smoke.
What can the industry learn from the Morledge Street factory fire?
Firefighter Bob Miller had entered the first floor of the building tasked with searching for rough sleepers and drug users. During the search Miller tragically fell 25 feet through a hole in the floor. His colleagues carried him from the building, but he was tragically pronounced dead at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
