Latest news with #SummerlandFireCommission
BBC News
20-05-2025
- BBC News
Campaign for fresh Summerland inquest 'marches on', survivor says
Campaigners calling for the Summerland fire disaster inquest verdict to be overturned have vowed to "march on" with their "fight for justice" after a bid to have a fresh hearing was Isle of Man's Attorney General turned down a formal application by Belfast-based human rights law firm Phoenix Law on behalf of the Justice for Summerland campaign deaths of 50 people in the blaze at the leisure complex on 2 August 1973 were ruled to be Hallam, who lost her mother and best friend in the blaze, said she was "disappointed" by what was "another hurdle in the path for justice". About 3,000 people were inside the leisure complex on Douglas Promenade when the fire, thought to have been started by three boys from Liverpool smoking, took hold on 2 August 1973.A public inquiry held in the aftermath found there were "no villains", only human beings who made the application for a fresh inquest in March, Phoenix Law argued there had been an "irregularity of proceedings in the original inquest", which had not commented on or addressed "substantial issues" including the cause of the the bid a spokesman for the Attorney General's Chambers said the investigations and findings of the report, produced by the Summerland Fire Commission in 1974, "comprised a thorough, effective and proportionate inquiry into how the fire took hold and spread, and how it came to be so fatal".The campaign group, which represents some of the victims and survivors of the tragedy, previously called the decision "deplorable" and confirmed they aimed to challenge it "before the High Court". Ms Hallam, who was 13 at the time, was on holiday with her mother Lorna Bryson Norton and best friend Jane Tallon when the fire broke the events, she said: "I made it out after being trapped, but I returned home alone."Ms Hallam said the campaign to have the verdict overturned was an "extremely difficult journey" for her and other members of the group connected to the disaster but it was "too important to let go"."We consider that this has been a debt outstanding, really it's been unaddressed and unpaid for almost 52 years." "We are fighting for people we lost and we are fighting for justice," she said."We were not surprised at the rejection but it has galvanised our resolve."We are not deterred, this is a campaign that is marching on."Phoenix Law has been contacted for a comment. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Bid for fresh Summerland fire inquest rejected
An application for a fresh inquest into the deaths of 50 people in the 1973 Summerland fire disaster has been rejected by the Isle of Man's Attorney General. A group representing some of the victims and survivors of the tragedy made a formal submission in March, calling to reopen the case. Justice for Summerland previously called for the original misadventure verdicts for the 50 people that died, to be overturned. With the latest application, the Attorney General said there was "no fresh evidence revealing any relevant or material errors or misunderstanding" in the original investigation in 1974. About 3,000 people were at the Summerland entertainment complex when a blaze broke out on the evening of 2 August 1973. It was thought to have been started by three boys from Liverpool smoking. A public inquiry held in the aftermath found there were "no villains" and only human beings who made mistakes. Belfast-based human rights law firm Phoenix Law, which represented the families, had made the application for a new inquest, saying there had been an "irregularity of proceedings in the original inquest" which had not commented on or addressed "substantial issues" including the cause of the fire. However, a spokesman for the Attorney General's Chambers said the investigations and findings of the report produced in May 1974, produced by the Summerland Fire Commission, "comprised a thorough, effective and proportionate inquiry into how the fire took hold and spread, and how it came to be so fatal". He said: "The application made to the Attorney General presents no fresh evidence revealing any relevant or material errors or misunderstanding in the detailed findings of the Summerland Commission Report. "Speculation that there might be evidence which might call the commission's findings into question does not constitute relevant fresh evidence." "The 1974 verdicts place no responsibility whatsoever on the innocent victims." Phoenix Law previously said it wanted to reopen the case to "ensure a comprehensive investigation" using "modern legal and forensic standards". In a letter from the Attorney General to the law firm, it said it recognised the sensitivity around the case, but had to consider the legal basis for reopening it without emotion. He added that nothing said was intended to add to "their burden or ongoing grief" and he was "very sorry if it does so". Phoenix Law has been contacted for a response. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Fresh bid for Summerland fire inquest submitted Bid for fresh Summerland inquest not yet received Commemorations mark 51 years since Summerland fire Campaigners to apply for fresh Summerland inquest Justice for Summerland Campaign
