Plaque unveiled for firefighter who died while tackling a blaze at a Sale hotel more than 100 years ago

Superintendent John Johnson Hunt lost his life in the line of duty in 1909 and was remembered as ‘extraordinarily brave’.
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A firefighter who died tackling a hotel blaze more than 100 years ago was described as “extraordinarily brave” as a plaque in his honour was unveiled.

The memorial remembering Superintendent John Johnson Hunt, who lost his life in the line of duty in Sale in 1909, went on display in a ceremony on Friday (28 October).

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Mr Hunt was fighting a fire at the Brooklands Hotel in Sale when a portion of the roof fell on him. He died as a result of his injuries. The plaque was unveiled at the site of the blaze, which is now an office building.

The memorial is a Red Plaque which is put up by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) to remember fire crews who were killed on the front line performing their duties to keep the public safe.

Who was Superintendent John Johnson Hunt and where is the plaque remembering him?

Superintendent John Johnson Hunt was 65 years old when he went to tackle a blaze that had broken out at the Brooklands Hotel in Sale in 1909. While he was fighting the fire a portion of the roof collapsed and he later died of his injuries. Newspaper reports from the time said thousands of people went to pay their respects by attending his funeral and the procession.

He was an experienced and well-respected firefighter, having had a 40-year career in the fire service in both Manchester and then Sale. He received several awards and had trained several company in-house fire brigades as well as advising on the establishment of a new brigade.

Superintendent John Johnson HuntSuperintendent John Johnson Hunt
Superintendent John Johnson Hunt
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His career was also marked by bravery and near-misses. One instance in 1885 involved him saving a fellow firefighter’s life by crawling along a sixth-floor parapet in dense smoke, an incident which saw him receive several awards and have a song written for him.

The red plaque was unveiled on Thursday at the site of the hotel blaze, whic is now an office facility owned by Bruntwood. A wreath was laid at Mr Hunt’s grave in Brooklands Cemetery following the unveiling. The FBU has also created a 20-page memorial booklet to Mr Hunt.

The FBU’s Red Plaque Scheme to remember firefighters killed in the line of duty began in 2017 and is funded by proceeds from the weekly Firefighters 100 Lottery scheme.

What was said about Mr Hunt and the new memorial to him?

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “No firefighter who gives their life in the line of duty will ever be forgotten, no matter how long ago they died. Making sure that every firefighter is remembered has huge importance for firefighters and their families. It helps our communities understand the huge sacrifices firefighters make and the risks they face. It helps firefighters feel connected to the long line of people who have been before them. The Fire Brigades Union is proud to play a part in remembering John Hunt.”

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Ed Burrows, FBU regional secretary for the North West, said: “Firefighters in Sale are committed to making sure that every one of their number who has given their life is remembered. Mr Hunt set an example to every firefighter with his bravery throughout his career. He was an extraordinarily brave man.

The Fire Brigades Union held an event in Sale to unveil a red plaque in memory of Superintendent John Johnson Hunt. Photo: Mark Waugh Manchester Press PhotographyThe Fire Brigades Union held an event in Sale to unveil a red plaque in memory of Superintendent John Johnson Hunt. Photo: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography
The Fire Brigades Union held an event in Sale to unveil a red plaque in memory of Superintendent John Johnson Hunt. Photo: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography

“This plaque will help ensure that the community knows what he did and what he sacrificed. It is important that history is remembered in the spaces it was lived.”

Sharon Johnson, Bruntwood head of commercial, said: “We are honoured that our Marsland building now bears a Red Plaque to commemorate the life and work of Superintendent Hunt. It’s been a privilege to work with his family and the Fire Brigades Union to find out more about the historical significance of the building and the heroic events that took place there. A special thanks to retired fire officer and local resident Anthony Ciaramella for his research and dedication in bringing the story to light.”