Worthing fire appears on BBC One’s Close Calls with presenter Nick Knowles

A fire that destroyed a number of flats opposite The Thomas A Becket pub in Worthing appeared on BBC One’s Close Calls.
Firefighters from across the county were sent to the blaze in Rectory Road, Worthing. Picture: Eddie MitchellFirefighters from across the county were sent to the blaze in Rectory Road, Worthing. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
Firefighters from across the county were sent to the blaze in Rectory Road, Worthing. Picture: Eddie Mitchell

Close Calls: On Camera, presented by Nick Knowles, shows the split-second moments when everyday events are transformed into disasters and meets the people who lived to tell the tale.

Its third episode, which aired on BBC One yesterday (April 10), featured the Rectory Road blaze which started in a flat above the Gurkha Tandoori restaurant in August last year.

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Ten fire engines were sent to the devastating blaze and at its peak 50 firefighters were fighting the flames.

Firefighters from across the county were sent to the blaze in Rectory Road, Worthing. Picture: Eddie MitchellFirefighters from across the county were sent to the blaze in Rectory Road, Worthing. Picture: Eddie Mitchell
Firefighters from across the county were sent to the blaze in Rectory Road, Worthing. Picture: Eddie Mitchell

See pictures from the scene here: In pictures: devastating Worthing blaze featured on BBC TV

It was described at the time by station manager Roy Barraclough as one of the most serious fires he had been to in his career. Fortunately no-one was seriously hurt in the blaze.

Resident Bob Bruce-Hay, whose flat was destroyed in the fire, appears in the episode, as well as Stacey Croft, landlady of the Thomas A Becket pub, and fire station manager Roy Barraclough.

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Stacey said: “I was more than happy to be a part of Close Calls, it was a very dramatic day for everyone around us that day, and it’s a miracle that no one was seriously injured.”

Roy Barraclough, Worthing Fire Station manager, appears in the episodeRoy Barraclough, Worthing Fire Station manager, appears in the episode
Roy Barraclough, Worthing Fire Station manager, appears in the episode

To watch the episode, visit the BBC iPlayer site here.

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