Event    From 18/1/1981  To 18/1/1981

New Cross Fire

Categories: Tragedy

A fire at a teenagers' birthday party caused the death of 14 young people, 13 at the fire. The 14th victim was Anthony Berbeck, who escaped the fire, but became mentally disturbed and died after falling from a balcony on 9th July 1983, a possible suicide. Originally the fire was thought to be a racist attack as all the victims were black. Two inquests reached open verdicts.

We are grateful to I Rise, our source for the thumbnail photos of each of the 14 dead.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
New Cross Fire

Commemorated ati

New Cross Fire - Fordham Park

In memory of the young people who died as a result of the New Cross fire 18th...

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New Cross Fire - Hackney

These trees were planted in the memory of the 13 children who died in the New...

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New Cross Fire - site of fire

New Cross Fire, took place at this site on January 18, 1981, Claiming the liv...

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New Cross Fire - Town Hall

Unveiled by Sybil Phoenix, a community leader who had been called to the scen...

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Other Subjects

Joseph Andrews

Joseph Andrews

Role on the lost expedition: Petty officer on SS Erebus. See John Franklin.

Person, Exploring, Tragedy

1 memorial
Sara Zelenak

Sara Zelenak

Killed in the 2017 London Bridge attack. A 21-year old Australian au pair, she was on a night out with a friend.

Person, Tragedy, Australia

1 memorial
Simon Wood

Simon Wood

A project worker for a charity for homeless children. Killed in the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster, aged 40. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Simon Edward Wood was born on 30 Ju...

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Martin Dinnegan

Martin Dinnegan

Killed as the result of gang rivalries, aged 14.  Stabbed in Tollington Way.

Person, Children, Tragedy

1 memorial
Harry Sisley

Harry Sisley

For more information about this hero click on the picture of his plaque.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe

Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe

Landscape architect. Born Geoffrey Alan Jellicoe at 70 Wynnstay Gardens, Chelsea. Educated at the Architectural School in London, where he later became principal. Founding member of the Landscape I...

Person, Gardens / Agriculture

2 memorials
Grosvenor Hotel - head 13

Grosvenor Hotel - head 13

SW1, Buckingham Palace Road, Grosvenor Hotel

This 1860 building, by architect James Knowles Snr, is studded with many portrait busts of which we believe only these 14 are representat...

Byron statue

Byron statue

W1, Park Lane

Byron is shown with his beloved Newfoundland dog, Boatswain, who had died of rabies at Newstead Abbey on 18 November 1808, and for whom B...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor

NW11, Wildwood Road, 8

We are grateful to David Lewis, Chairman of the Hampstead Garden Suburb Residents Association for bringing this plaque to our attention. ...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Her Majesty's Theatre - SWET

Her Majesty's Theatre - SWET

SW1, Charles II Street

Theatreland - Heart of the performing arts in London Her Majesty's Theatre In 1706 Sir John Vanbrugh built this first of four theatres ...

3 subjects commemorated, 2 creators