The fire at FoKAB’s storage premises has been described as one of the worst in the history of the preservation movement, reports Nick Larkin
Eight preserved vehicles were destroyed when fire engulfed the industrial unit where they were stored. The blaze, said to be one of, if not the, worst in the history of preservation, happened at a building in Hampshire occupied for many years by charity the Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB). It is believed to have started in a neighbouring unit. Emergency services were alerted after residents in the nearby village of Penton Mewsey heard the sound of exploding fuel tanks in the early hours of Friday 8 December.
FoKAB Chairman James Freeman described the fire as ‘an appalling disaster.’ He added: “Whilst it is fortunate that no-one was hurt, we now must come to terms with the loss of so many valuable, irreplaceable buses and coaches. We send our heartfelt sympathies to the owners who have lost their prized vehicles. It is difficult to come to terms with what has happened. It’s a shock. One moment you have these vehicles and then you don’t.”
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FoKAB owns a collection of some 15 buses and coaches recalling legendary Winchester independent King Alfred Motor Services, one of the most loved of which, 1950 Leyland Olympic JAA 708, was lost in the fire. The first underfloor-engined bus in Hampshire, this vehicle ran with King Alfred until September 1965, spending many years in Ireland before being rescued in 1991 and later undergoing a 10-year painstaking rebuild before returning to the road in 2012.
“So many people have been involved with this bus and it’s just irreplaceable,” added James. He continued: “In terms of Hampshire buses as a whole it’s a grevious blow. Four Hants and Dorset vehicles have been destroyed and they are as rare as hen’s teeth.”
Three of those vehicles belong to well-known preservationist William Staniforth.
GLJ 957, a 1948 Leyland PD1A, was the last survivor from examples that were based in Winchester. William had owned 1949 Bristol K5G JEL 257, for many years and it had only been moved to the building the the previous Saturday.
Rare semi-automatic Bristol FLF KRU 224F was about to have a replacement Gardner engine fitted. Unlike the bus this still remains intact. Ironically this vehicle survived the major fire at Bournemouth bus station in 1976.
The final Hants & Dorset vehicle destroyed is XLJ 726K, a 1972 Bristol RELL6G/ECW new to Hants & Dorset, which like further fire victim AXI 2534, a 1984 Bristol RELL with Alexander (Belfast) bodywork, is owned by Terry Hussey.
JWV 273W, a 1981 Bristol VR new to Southdown, was the subject of a 15 year restoration by owner Richard Aldous. “It’s mixed emotions,” Richard said. “The bus was just beginning to come together and there’s all that time and money put into it. I did enjoy doing the restoration work and have learned new skills I can use on King Alfred vehicles, as well as my other project GYC 160K, a new to Hutchings & Cornelius Bristol LH.”
James Woodcock is co-owner of the newest vehicle destroyed in the fire, B122 XRJ, a 1985 Volvo B10M/Van Hool new to Jacksons of Altrincham t/a Smiths-Shearings as B487 UNB. “It’s just a bit of a shock, and something you do not expect,” he said. “We had only just put the coach through it’s MOT.”
Thanks
FoKAB said it has received huge amount of support since news of the fire broke. Said chairman James Freeman: “Thanks for the wonderful things people have said. We’ve had phone messages, emails and texts from people up and down the land – many saying they can’t imagine how we are feeling, and that fire is the greatest fear.”
The blaze is believed to have started in a neighbouring unit, but the cause had yet to be identified as CBW went to press, although foul play is not suspected.
