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Church Stretton hotel fire victims remembered | Church Stretton hotel fire victims remembered |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Two victims of a fire that claimed the lives of five people at a Shropshire hotel 45 years ago have had their names added to a memorial. | |
Olive Guest and Mary Wilkinson were the only members of staff to perish in the blaze at The Hotel in Church Stretton late on 2 April 1968. | Olive Guest and Mary Wilkinson were the only members of staff to perish in the blaze at The Hotel in Church Stretton late on 2 April 1968. |
Three young brothers also died and were named on the memorial at St Laurence's where their funeral was held. | |
A special service for all victims was held at the church at 14:30 BST. | |
'People still care' | 'People still care' |
Alan Wildblood was one of the first firefighters at the scene of the blaze. | Alan Wildblood was one of the first firefighters at the scene of the blaze. |
He helped get twins Jonathan and Alistair Goulder, seven, and their nine-year-old brother Korwin out of the building and had thought they were still breathing. | He helped get twins Jonathan and Alistair Goulder, seven, and their nine-year-old brother Korwin out of the building and had thought they were still breathing. |
Mr Wildblood said: "They sort of made a noise but the doctor said afterwards that was just air coming out of their lungs. | Mr Wildblood said: "They sort of made a noise but the doctor said afterwards that was just air coming out of their lungs. |
"After the boys had been rescued we were told there were two other people in the hotel - a chambermaid and a waitress. | "After the boys had been rescued we were told there were two other people in the hotel - a chambermaid and a waitress. |
"Four firemen... found them in a little kitchenette on the first floor. | "Four firemen... found them in a little kitchenette on the first floor. |
"They'd perished from smoke inhalation." | "They'd perished from smoke inhalation." |
Mike Holloway, the nephew of Ms Guest, said he had to identify his aunt's body and has vowed to go to the memorial each year. | |
"It's a long time ago but I'm very pleased," he said. | "It's a long time ago but I'm very pleased," he said. |
"At least the people still care." | "At least the people still care." |
The names of Ms Guest and Ms Wilkinson were put on a plaque near the one that already bears the names of the boys. |
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