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Jennypeg
Researcher

Langley Mill Pottery
replied on: 4/2/2005 3:03:16 PM

Hi Robert,
More info on the Fire

RIPLEY AND HEANOR NEWS
JANUARY 19TH 1940
DISASTROUS FIRE AT LANGLEY MILL
OVER 300 WORKERS AFFECTED
Plus photo (very dark)
The works of Messrs Lovatt’s Potteries Ltd, Langley Mill, were almost entirely destroyed by fire, which broke out during Saturday evening.
Brigades from Heanor, Eastwood, Ilkeston and Butterley were in attendance, but the fire raged fiercely, and the buildings, chiefly of the three-storey type, containing the most up-to-date machinery, was completely wrecked.
The fire was discovered shortly after 11.30 pm by Mr W. Wildin, a stoker at the works.
Throughout Saturday night the fire bridges were at work and the fire was not got under control until about 6 am on Sunday morning.
Water from the hoses ran into the roadway and froze quickly, forming a sheet of ice. The firemen’s uniforms were coated with ice and icicles hung from their steel helmets. During the night householders gave the firemen hot drinks.
Members of the Heanor Auxiliary Fire Service gave assistance and remained on duty during Sunday.
Owing to the unsafe condition of a portion of the building, which runs parallel for some considerable distance with the main Ripley – Nottingham road, the trolley bus service of the Notts and Derby traction Co had to be discontinued on Sunday, and a petrol bus service was substituted on a circular route.
The damage amounts to several thousand pounds, and over 300 male and female employees are affected.
The kilns were not affected, and the pottery in then is being finished. The bottle-making department was also undamaged, together with the boilers, and it is hoped that this section will resume work shortly.
The warehouse containing much valuable stock, was untouched, and goods will be supplied to customers from this stock. Offices were also undamaged.
Gangs of workmen have been clearing away the debris all week.
Demolition was completed on Tuesday of the buildings that were left so unsafe by the fire as to cause that section of the main road to be closed for over two days.
An official at the potteries states that some of the departments affected by the fire will be transferred to the unharmed buildings.
Already the department dealing with the dipping of finished pottery is at work again the kilns are in operation, and warehouses, packing, bottle making and office staffs are at work.
Machines, which have not been too badly damaged, are being salvaged and put up elsewhere temporarily.

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