What happened to the Rose & Crown hotel, Saffron Walden?

On 26 December 1969, a fire broke out at the Rose & Crown Hotel in Saffron Walden, Essex.

The fire brigade responded quickly and found 33 people in the premises, nine of whom required immediate rescue. A 50 ft escape ladder and extension ladder was wheeled to the first floor.

Three guests jumped to safety while locals who had arrived to assist the brigade reportedly rescued five other guests.

Those who tragically lost their lives were found on the second and third floors - they had become trapped by heat and smoke. It’s thought that they died during the early stages of the fire.

How did the Rose & Crown hotel fire start?

The fire is believed to have started in a television set. At about 01:30 am two guests left their rooms on the first floor to investigate the smell of smoke.

They discovered the fire in the lounge and left the building to call the fire brigade.

What can the industry learn from the Rose & Crown hotel fire?

The fire prompted the government to assess the entire structure of fire safety legislation. In 1971, the Fire Precautions Act was passed into law - it came into force in 1972.

Under the Fire Precautions (Hotels and Boarding Houses) Order 1972, Statutory Instrument (SI) 1972/238), any premises including sleeping accommodation for more than six persons (staff or guests) or sleeping accommodation above the first floor is required to have a fire certificate issued by the local fire authority.