Firefighter. He was killed when part of the roof collapsed while he was fighting a fire at the Worsley Hotel, Clifton Gardens, Paddington. He was 25 years old.
From The Red Plaque website: "On the night of Thursday 12th December 1974, two separate fires were deliberately lit at the Worsley Hotel. It became a significant fire and 40 fire engines ultimately attended the scene. ... On arrival at the scene, Hamish and his colleague had found over 30 people trapped by smoke and screaming for rescue from windows of the six floor building. Firefighters immediately set about carrying out multiple rescues, with 32 people being rescued in a short space of time. ... suddenly and without warning several of the floors above came crashing down on to them, trapping them under burning debris. ... The trapped firefighters were eventually released, ... Hamish was the last to be located, ... he was declared dead at the scene. Six other residents died during the fire."
From Facebook: a kitchen porter was found guilty of arson and the manslaughter of seven people, including Fireman Pettit, and was jailed for life.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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