On behalf of the Council, His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Jonathan Joughin JP, paid tribute to those who died in the Summerland fire disaster on the evening of August 2, 1973 at a short service of remembrance in the Kaye Memorial Garden held on Friday August 2, where he was joined by Council Members, representatives from the emergency services, including former Kirk Michael retained fireman Bob Kewley who attended on the night of the fire, and members of the public.

After prayers led by Canon Phillip Gillespie, His Worship spoke of ‘the terrible event’ which continued to haunt many who were involved in the disaster that claimed 50 lives.

Former Kirk Michael retained fireman Bob Kewley, second left

He said: ‘It is right to remember the dead and that is why Douglas Borough Council placed this memorial here [in the Kaye Memorial Garden] to enable everyone to see that those whose lives were tragically cut short that night are remembered.’

The service concluded with His Worship laying a wreath on behalf of the Council, after which members of the public were also invited to lay wreaths.

In 2013, the 40th anniversary of the disaster, the Council commissioned and installed the memorial - three simple granite columns - bearing the names and ages of the 50 people who died in the fire.