大象传媒

(Nick Redman's) My great uncle Thomas Coole (now aged 79) lived in the Horsefair (Debenhams now stands on the site). My great grandfather (also Thomas Coole) was a gentlemen's barber, at number 6. I quote my great uncle's report of that night's blitz:
On November 24, 1940, one incendiary fell on a shop at the top of the Upper Arcade in the Horsefair. In quite a short time the entire Arcade was destroyed. Most of the buildings were lock up shops so no-one was injured. there were no fire brigades available; some of the neighbours thought of trying to save goods in the shops but we were warned we could be charged with pilfering. We just stood and watched helplessly as the flames spread at an alarming rate from top to bottom. A few doors away was Mr Eager's bird and animal shop. People shouted to Mr Eager to let birds free. He did so and the first half-dozen flew straight into the flames and perished. He kept all the others in their cages and they were safe. The fire did not reach his shop or ours, which was next door. The Burton warehouse, a big store running from Barton to Barrs Street, was totally destroyed. In one raid we heard two bombs fall. Only one exploded. Aunt Lilian was sure there was an unexploded time-bomb in the ruins. About an hour later, after the all clear, we were going to bed and the time bomb went off; just as Aunty Lily predicted it shook the house and shop. There was very little damage but the soot from chimneys was all over the furniture, walls, floor and ceiling. We went to bed for a couple of hours cursing Jerry and his bloody bombs. Next morning Gran Coole, Aunty Lily, Aunt Joan and Uncle Tom rolled their sleeves up and cleaned up. Going back to the raid itself, Mr Sposito and I waited until the Arcade fire was out and decided to have a look around town. Fires were raging when we reached the top of Union Street. We were amazed. It was one mass of flames in Wine Street, Mary Le Port Street, Dolphin Street, Peter Street and Castle Street. It was awe inspiring - just the two of us and no fire brigade. As far as we could see, flames and more flames. Everything was so quiet, apart from the crackle of flames. For days, every time I closed my eyes I could see flames.

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