Frederick Hawkins
Station Officer Frederick Hawkins lost his life in the line of duty on the 11th May 1954, alongside his colleagues Firefighter Charles Gadd and Firefighter Arthur Batt-Rawden. Their Red Plaque was unveiled on the 11th May 2024.
All three firefighters were from Clerkenwell fire station and the fire occurred on Langley Street in the Covent Garden Market area. Frederick and Arthur were both killed by the fall of debris while Charles died later as a result of his injuries.
The Langley Street fire started in a five storey warehouse at 3 p.m. on the 11th May. The building was heavily smoke-logged as the fire spread with explosive ferocity. As the crews entered the building the roof and walls collapsed with fatal consequences. Twenty four fire engines and more than 100 firefighters tackled the fire and burned until approximately 11.30 p.m. on the same day.
It took fire crews nearly an hour to locate a trapped colleague after the building collapse, and there were no agreed evacuation signals to warn firemen to withdraw if signs of a building collapse became evident. A newspaper at the time labelled it “one of the biggest fires in central London since the enemy raids of the war”.
Investigation into the fire found that no recording, or supervising, of firefighter entering and leaving the fire wearing breathing apparatus had taken place. In fact, one firefighter was only accounted for when a roll call was taken back at the fire station concerned. Other shortfalls found there was still no means for a firefighter to summon assistance in an emergency. These findings brought about changes to fire fighting procedures.
Below are memories added by those who knew Frederick Hawkins or had a story that they wish to share with you. If you have a tribute for Frederick Hawkins that you wish to add, please include your memory below.
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Photo credits: Stefano Cagnoni
