‘He could not see an inch in front of his face but he traced Patricia Naisbett’

Robert Watson might well be the bravest store boss that Sunderland has ever seen.

70 years ago this week, he showed no hesitation to save a colleague from a fire which raged through the Castletown branch of the Ryhope and Silksworth Co-operative Society.

The shell of the building in Castletown which was half destroyed by fire. | se

placeholder image — The shell of the building in Castletown which was half destroyed by fire. | se

He spotted one of the office girls crouching against the shattered window of the first floor room above the grocery department. She had been blinded by smoke and unable to find her way out of the building.

Robert immediately took action and ran back into the burning building even though it was blisteringly hot. He could not see an inch in front of his face but he traced Patricia Naisbett, 18, through her screams.

The scene on the street as the fire rages in the building in Castletown. | se

He managed to half carry and half push her towards the stairs where grocery foreman George Oliver took over and led Patricia to safety.

That was at 5.20pm. By 7.20pm, half the store was a mere pile of burning embers. It had been so serious that one firefighter suffered a broken shoulder when a huge section of the roof collapsed and fell 30ft on to him.

Patricia Naisbett, pictured after being rescued from the 'worst blaze in Castletown's history' in 1956. | se

Hundreds of people watched from the streets as 25 store workers got out of the building. Eight fire engines were called and their crews could see the flames as they raced from Southwick.

How the Sunderland Echo reported the story in October 1956. | se

But, because of a water shortage, they had to draw water from the nearby colliery pond which was 400 yards away once they reached the scene.

Half of the store was saved which included the men’s clothing section and the butcher’s department.

Thousands of pounds of stock, most of it for the Christmas trade, was destroyed including televisions, furniture and clothing as the eastern side of the building went up in ‘the full fury of the worst blaze in Castletown’s history.”

But Patricia was saved and told the Sunderland Echo: “I backed to the window to get some air. I would have gone out the window rather than get through all that smoke.”

We would love to hear from anyone who may have a relative who was involved in the fire.

Get in touch and tell us more by emailing [email protected]