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Monmouth Hotel Fire, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. October 1990
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Royal Cornwall Museum
Monmouth Hotel Fire, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. October 1990
Extensive damage was done to the bar and lounge area of the Monmouth Hotel, situated in Parade Square. One pub worker, Miles McQuillen fled from the roof of the building using knotted sheets and then went back to rescue his dog when he found a ladder. Seven fire appliances from Lostwithiel, Fowey and Bodmin fought the blaze, thought to have been started by an electrical fault. Three years of renovation had only just been completed by landlord Chris Barbas. Photographer: Jonathan Barker
Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture
TRURI : 2017.5.257
Media ID 15293901
© RIC, photographer Jonathan Barker
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the aftermath of the devastating Monmouth Hotel Fire in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, which occurred in October 1990. The bar and lounge area of the historic hotel, located in Parade Square, suffered extensive damage as a result of this destructive blaze. In this image, you can witness the remnants of what was once a vibrant social hub reduced to charred ruins. Amidst the chaos and destruction, one brave pub worker named Miles McQuillen emerged as a hero. Desperate to escape from the blazing inferno above him, he ingeniously used knotted sheets as a makeshift rope to descend from the roof. Showing incredible courage and compassion, McQuillen risked his life once more by returning to rescue his beloved dog when he discovered a ladder. The fire required an immense firefighting effort involving seven fire appliances from Lostwithiel, Fowey, and Bodmin. It is believed that an electrical fault sparked this catastrophic event that brought three years' worth of renovations by landlord Chris Barbas crashing down within moments. This poignant photograph serves as a reminder of both human resilience and vulnerability in times of crisis. It stands testament to the power of community support during such challenging circumstances while highlighting the fragility inherent within our built environment. Photographer Jonathan Barker has masterfully captured not only the physical devastation caused by fire but also its lingering effects through smoke damage and collapsed ceilings – all emblematic symbols etched into Cornish history forevermore.
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