Lodge Mill Fire

Byerden Mill after a fire, 22nd October, 1905. Fire was always a big hazard in cotton mills. Oil soaked floors and inflammable cotton waste meant that a carelessly dropped match or even a spark from the machinery could lead to disaster. There were few factories in town that did not suffer in this way at some time. Here, in spite of the efforts of the fire brigade and availability of abundant water in the canal, most of the mill was destroyed.