Fires in Dover
Oil Mills Fire
(photo Bob
Hollingsbee)
The blaze, with damage estimated at £1 million, broke out in May 1965, the
alarm being raised by night watchman Peter Vickery, of Harold Street, at 4am. The
fire appears to have quickly gained a hold and, for a time Peter was trapped about
50ft up in the building, the Dover Express reported, as flames estimated at a 100ft
high shot into the sky. The building was a tinderbox, it was stated, with
oil-soaked timbers of decades, having once been Dover Oil Crushing Co's
works back in the late 1800s and, later, a fur fabrics factory. Firemen were on the
scene, it was reported, for about 40 hours, putting out the blaze which gutted the
building and then damping down and keeping a watch for any new outbreaks from
smouldering debris. During the Second World War it had been a temporary transit
camp for troops on the move and also had a role in the running and maintenance of
Motor Torpedo boats, Air Sea Rescue craft and Motor Gun Boats operating in the
Channel.
Old Oil Mills in Limekiln Street
(photo Bob
Hollingsbee)
Old Oil Mills in Limekiln Street
(photo Bob
Hollingsbee)