The Times
Friday August 30 1929
Cotton Mill Fire
Twelve Hundred Operatives Out Of Work
as the result of a fire during Wednesday night at Brierfield Mills, near Nelson, damage estimated at £30,000 was done and 1,200 operatives were rendered idle. The mill is one of the oldest in the district, and is owned by Messrs. Tunstill, Limited, in whose family it has been for over 50 years. A night watchman made the discovery of the fire, but it had secured a strong hold in the taping room, and when the Nelson Fire Brigade arrived they could only concentrate on saving the weaving shed and warehouses adjoining. They were unable to leave until 10 o'clock yesterday morning. Some concern was felt about the safety of the Nelson gas works, which were in close proximity to the mill, but the brigade succeeded in limiting the fire to the taping, twisting, and winding rooms. Brierfield depends almost entirely on the mills for work for its adult population, the firm's weekly wages bill being £3,000.
_________________ Mel
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