Viaduct Mill Fire 1975

Viaduct Mill Fire, Colne, 1975. 

Back in 1975, more than 80 firefighters from North East Lancashire and parts of Yorkshire tacked the fire at the Viaduct Mill in Knotts Lane, Colne. Over 20 cars were destroyed during the blaze and trains running between Colne & Nelson were halted for more than two hours.

The fire was reported as front page news in the Evening Star on Monday 3rd February 1975 .

Viaduct Shed was a steam-powered cotton-weaving mill built between 1887 and 1891 close to the south bank of Colne Water. It was built of random and coursed stone rubble and originally comprised a front office, warehouse and yarn preparation block with a rear single-storey weaving shed and an internal engine house, attached side boiler house and circular red brick chimney. The weaving shed was extended to the rear between 1910 and 1929-30.

Further reading: Pendle Textile Mills Report.