There will be a few tears shed today on the anniversary of a Huddersfield tragedy.

Relatives of the 49 victims of the Booth’s factory fire will pause to remember their loved ones.

They died when the H Booth and Sons’ clothing factory in the town centre was turned into a raging inferno on October 31, 1941.

Among those remembering the harrowing scenes will be Huddersfield businessman Keith Hanselman, who lost his brother Chris, then just 16, in the fire.

Mr Hanselman, 82, who ran the Merrie England coffee shop chain for many years, has come up with a poignant reminder of the tragedy.

A keen artist, he has donated a painting of the fire to Huddersfield Art Gallery and hopes it will be on regular display to remind people of the dreadful loss.

“It is the anniversary today and I, like many others, will think back to our relatives and friends who died.

“It is a part of the town’s history and one that should never be forgotten.

“We met up to mark the 70th anniversary and it was good to share memories with other relatives. We also, of course, managed to get a plaque erected at the site off Viaduct Street and I remember when it was unveiled that MP Barry Sheerman said it was a prime example of why industry now has so many health and safety laws.

“I remember Chris for so many reasons. He always cycled to work and I recall him getting his bike out of our home in Birkby and setting off along St John’s Road.

“I also remember that even at 16, how good a tailor he was. He brought home remnants from the clothing factory and made me a suit, with short pants.”

Booth's fire October 31 1941 mass burial at Edgerton cemetery
Booth's fire October 31 1941 mass burial at Edgerton cemetery

The fire, at the factory on John William Street, began when an employee put a smoker’s pipe in a raincoat pocket, unaware that the pipe was still smouldering.

The five-storey building, which had been described as a ‘death trap’, was full of wood and glass panels allowing the flames to spread rapidly.

The factory had only one staircase, no evacuation drill and a buzzer system which failed on the fatal morning.

Two of the fire’s victims died after jumping from the upper floors of the building.

Mr Hanselman based his painting on an old photograph from the Examiner.

“I found an old picture in the Examiner and I did a pencil sketch. I wanted to commemorate the 49 young people who died.”