Two individuals lost their lives in a tragic fire incident at a working men’s club when a patron accidentally ignited a gas canister with his lighter, an official investigation has revealed.
Philip Townsend, aged 70, and John McCartney, aged 60, perished in the fire at Gordon Working Men’s Club in Morecambe in October 2019 due to smoke inhalation after becoming trapped inside the premises. The inquest into their deaths began in 2023 but was later postponed, with the coroner cautioning against drawing premature conclusions as such adjournments are common for various reasons.
The fatal fire reportedly erupted after John, known as Johnny, who worked at the club, inadvertently ignited the gas canister with his lighter that was positioned near an Aldi heater. Detective Chief Inspector Abigail Finch-Hall stated that witnesses observed Johnny engaging in a flicking motion with his lighter, which likely initiated the fire. Despite his efforts to escape with the canister, the blaze engulfed him, leading to the tragic outcome.
Eye-witnesses, including bar regular Julie Galbraith, recalled Johnny’s playful nature and his risky behavior with the lighter near the gas bottle. Concerns were raised multiple times about the potential dangers, but Johnny seemingly disregarded the risks with his nonchalant attitude.
The club, owned by Gillnell, a London-based property investment firm, operated under the management of licensee Heather Goffin and her son Callum. The tragic events unfolded swiftly, with CCTV footage capturing the rapid escalation of the fire, causing panic among patrons as they struggled to evacuate the premises.
Further investigations revealed structural deficiencies in the fire exit setup, complicating the escape for individuals inside the club during the crisis. The inquest, ongoing at County Hall in Preston, is expected to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the adequacy of safety measures in place.