Woolworth's retail store, Manchester, May 1979 - Cooke On Fire

Woolworth’s – the buildingSS‣ The building was equipped with amains-fed fire alarm having alarm bellsand break-call points on each floor.ES‣ The self service restaurant on thesecond floor could seat 208 people butat the time of the fire there were 70 to100 people on the floor of the store.‣ The store was built in 1929 andcomprised 8 floors including 2basements. It was 42 m x 35 min plan and was steel framedwith concrete floors and concretestairways.‣ The stairways (S) were wellpositioned for means of escape.A centrally placed escalator (E)communicated with severalfloors.‣ The shop operated without a firecertificate required under thelegislation, though slow progress wasbeing made to get one.‣ At the time, the legislation did notrequire upholstered furniture to have alow flammability - this was requiredlater in 1980.‣ There were no sprinklers and nonewere required for life safety purposes.