Two Men Die in Morecambe Club Fire Ignited by Lighter Incident

A tragic fire at the Gordon Working Men’s Club in Morecambe claimed the lives of two men on October 9, 2019. According to an ongoing inquest, the blaze erupted when a regular patron accidentally ignited a gas canister while handling a lighter. The victims, identified as Philip Antony Townsend, aged 70, and John James McCartney, aged 60, succumbed to smoke inhalation after becoming trapped inside the venue.

The incident occurred around 14:45 local time, as patrons were enjoying their afternoon at the club located on Springfield Street. The inquest, which started in 2023 but was postponed for procedural reasons, revealed significant details about the circumstances leading to the fire. The coroner emphasized that delays in inquests can happen for various reasons and instructed jurors not to draw any conclusions from it.

According to Detective Chief Inspector Abigail Finch-Hall, the fire ignited when McCartney, who also worked as the club’s cleaner, was observed flicking his lighter near a gas canister connected to a heater purchased from a local retailer. Witnesses reported that McCartney had a habit of playing with lighters, often making flicking gestures. DCI Finch-Hall stated, “Witnesses saw him doing that and we believe he opened the gas canister and used the lighter to ignite it.”

Several club patrons recounted their experiences during the harrowing incident. Julie Galbraith, a regular, described McCartney as a “character” and noted she had warned him multiple times about the dangers of playing with fire near the gas canister. She recounted seeing flames erupt around the canister, leading to chaos as patrons attempted to escape the rapidly filling smoke.

As the fire spread, CCTV footage captured the panic inside the club. In under 60 seconds, smoke engulfed the interior, forcing patrons to scramble for the exits. Townsend, who was also attempting to flee, was seen stumbling and then returning towards the source of the fire. The footage concluded with a blinding flash, indicating the fire’s rapid escalation.

Another patron, George Ramshaw, recalled hearing someone shout at McCartney just before the flames erupted. He described the moment as terrifying, stating, “Then I saw a great big flame shoot out, there was a flash and masses of black smoke billowing out.” He attempted to pull McCartney to safety but struggled to navigate the cramped space.

DCI Finch-Hall noted the unusual configuration of the club’s fire exit, which consisted of two doors with limited access. The outer doors were reportedly closed at the time of the fire, trapping Townsend inside. Firefighters later found his body wedged between the two doors. McCartney was discovered at the top of a ramp leading to the snooker area of the club.

The inquest also highlighted concerns about the club’s fire safety measures. Investigators found that a fire risk assessment for the premises could not be located. DCI Finch-Hall indicated that the external doors, which were typically left ajar for patrons, were locked on the day of the fire, contributing to the tragedy.

As the inquest unfolds at County Hall in Preston, it is expected to last five days. The testimonies of witnesses and details surrounding the fire’s rapid spread underscore the need for rigorous safety protocols in public venues. The tragic loss of Townsend and McCartney serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with negligence in handling flammable materials.