Gone with the wind!
The Lytham Windmill fire occurred during a severe gale on the night of January 1–2, 1919, when high winds caused the sails to spin uncontrollably, overwhelming the braking mechanism. Friction generated by the powerful brake emitted sparks that quickly ignited the dry, wooden structure and machinery inside the mill. The flames, fanned by gale-force winds, rapidly consumed the mill's interior—including over a hundred sacks of oats—destroying the cap, sails, and virtually all the wooden workings.
Burning fragments from the sails were hurled as far as fifty yards across Lytham Green, and the intense fire was visible throughout the estuary. Attempts to alert the fire brigade were hampered by damaged telephone wires, so firemen had to be roused individually, delaying the response. Even with hoses directed through the windows, the fire was not subdued until after daybreak, by which time the mill was gutted and described as a “pathetic sight” by onlookers.
After the disaster, the Clifton estate decided not to revive the mill for working use, and two years later, Squire John Talbot Clifton donated the shell to the town, enabling eventual restoration and new community uses. The 1919 fire marks a pivotal moment in the windmill’s history, transforming it from an operational mill into a heritage landmark and museum
Gone with the wind!
The Lytham Windmill fire occurred during a severe gale on the night of January 1–2, 1919, when high winds caused the sails to spin uncontrollably, overwhelming the braking mechanism. Friction generated by the powerful brake emitted sparks that quickly ignited the dry, wooden structure and machinery inside the mill. The flames, fanned by gale-force winds, rapidly consumed the mill's interior—including over a hundred sacks of oats—destroying the cap, sails, and virtually all the wooden workings.
Burning fragments from the sails were hurled as far as fifty yards across Lytham Green, and the intense fire was visible throughout the estuary. Attempts to alert the fire brigade were hampered by damaged telephone wires, so firemen had to be roused individually, delaying the response. Even with hoses directed through the windows, the fire was not subdued until after daybreak, by which time the mill was gutted and described as a “pathetic sight” by onlookers.
After the disaster, the Clifton estate decided not to revive the mill for working use, and two years later, Squire John Talbot Clifton donated the shell to the town, enabling eventual restoration and new community uses. The 1919 fire marks a pivotal moment in the windmill’s history, transforming it from an operational mill into a heritage landmark and museum