#413 INCIDENT DEBRIEF: The Woolworths fire - Manchester - May 8th 1979

In May 1979, a fire tore through the Woolworths department store in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens. A blaze that would change British fire safety forever. What began as a small ignition behind a furniture display grew into a full-floor inferno within minutes, fuelled by polyurethane foam and toxic smoke that trapped shoppers and staff on the upper floors.

This episode revisits the incident through modern eyes, unpacking the science, the tactics, and the courage of those who faced the unimaginable. It explores how the tragedy reshaped firefighting knowledge from flow-path control and gas cooling to the understanding that smoke itself is fuel and how the lessons learned in 1979 still guide firefighters on the line today.

A downloadable PDF accompanies this episode, featuring an Instant Overview, Tactical Reflections, and Tactical Takeaways designed for crews and instructors to use as a debrief and training resource.

ACCESS downloadable PDF HERE

Access all episodes, documents, GIVEAWAYS & debriefs HERE

Podcast Apparel, Hoodies, Flags, Mugs HERE

PODCAST GIFT - FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE

 A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.

• GORE-TEX Professional Clothing
• MSA The Safety Company
• IDEX
• FIRE & EVACUATION SERVICE LTD 
• HAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HERE
• Xendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20
• Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydrated