Honour for firefighter who died in 1969 Goswell Road tragedy
PUBLISHED: 11:42 06 October 2016
Fire crews at the scene in Goswell Road on September 29th 1969 use their bare hands to try and rescue the trapped firemen. Picture: Paul Wood
Photo copyright Paul Wood
A hero firefighter who died on a job in Finsbury has been honoured with a plaque at his station.
John Carpenter, left, and staff officer Karen Bell, right, with the brother (Maurice) and sister (Maureen) of Michael Lee at the plaque unveiling. Picture: Paul WoodMichael Lee, crew manager at Shoreditch at just 21, was sent to Barbican on September 29, 1969.
He was called to a fire in a derelict war shelter at the former National Car Park site in Goswell Road.
Children were said to be inside, and Michael led the way, shouting: “Come on lads, there are kids inside.”
However, the roof of the shelter collapsed and Michael died instantly.
On Saturday, his sister Maureen and brother Maurice were invited to the plaque unveiling in his memory.
Steve Dudeney, borough commander of Hackney, said: “They were blown away with the reception, being able to see where Mick worked and meet up with old colleagues.”
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