This weekend marks 50 years since disaster struck Flixborough at about 4.53pm on June 1, 1974 in a devastating tragedy which saw 28 men sadly lose their lives at the Nypro plant close to the village. The explosion virtually demolished the site and fires burned for several days afterwards.
The blast could be heard over 35 miles away and around 2,000 properties were damaged. Although the disaster happened before I was born, I grew up in Flixborough hearing of the traumatic events and the impact it had on my neighbours. I knew my family home had lost its roof and heard stories of the tragedies and how many houses were affected, some even having to be demolished because the damage was so severe.
With such a significant anniversary upon us, I wanted to revisit and speak to some friends and villagers about that fateful day. The chemical explosion at Nypro and the events of that day are still embedded into many people's thoughts and memories, especially those who lost loved ones and those who were so close to the disaster scene. READ MORE: Flixborough Disaster 50 years on - poignant exhibition goes on display in Scunthorpe D-Day 80th Anniversary Commemorative Special - on sale now Entering the village, I was filled with a sense of nostalgia - a warm place filled with many happy cherished memories.
I lived in the village from 1981 until going off to study photojournalism in 1999 and have fond childhood memories of how beautiful and friendly it is, as well as having such a caring comm.