The LNER Encyclopedia

Before its ultimate closure in 1953 Ebchester was a busy station on the North Eastern Railways Consett line. In March (I think) 1948 the Station Hotel was burned to the ground and one person was killed. This hotel was right in the station and the fire might possibly have disrupted rail traffic. Can anyone please suggest where I might find information on this fire. The local press has been no help. Many thanks.

will look through my British Newspaper Library account.

Thank you

nothing as yet

When you say it was "right in the station" do you mean it was a pub/hotel next to the station ?
It doesn't appear to have any significant buildings except for the SM's house.

http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/e/eb ... ndex.shtml

The Station Hotel was right next to the station and, after the fire, it was quickly rebuilt on more or less the same site but not with the exact same footprint. It is still there to this day and is now known as the Derwent Walk Inn. I have a photo of the original building from the 1870s when it was new and another from the 1920s if you would like to see them - assuming it is OK to post them here.

The amazing thing is that one of the biggest buildings in the village was totally destroyed and one man was killed but I can find nothing in the press about it

I've just looked at Google Earth and I see the building you mean. I only ever walked the line once, in 1978 and I didn't remember seeing it. Must have been happy days when you could roll up off a train at such a rural station then straight into the pub for a few pints !

Here are the two pictures I mentioned in my previous post

I have discovered that the fire actually happened on 4th February 1948 and the victim was George Thomas Temple, 85 year old father of the licensee but I can still find no press reports of what was a massive event in this tiny village.

Just discovered this website recently and thought I should let you know my connection with the Station Hotel. My Uncle Norman Temple was the publican in the 1940s and I visited most weekends and school holidays for some years. My mother brought on the train or Venture bus from North Shields and she and my father helped out in the pub, my mother playing the piano and Dad singing. Have a few stories if you are interested. Peter Grant.

I would be pleased to fill a few gaps for you with regard to the Station Hotel fire. I did give some information in a forum I posted on February 20th.

Peter Grant

Hello, I am researching my family tree and discovered my Great - Grandfathers' Great Aunt Margaret Hedley (nee Charleton) worked and lived at the hotel in 1891. I am interested in any information about it please?
Thank you
Lynsey