Early Childhood 1

 In 1952 I was 4 years old. We lived in social housing on a dirt road off Albert Royd Street in Rochdale. The biggest fire in the town's history broke out in the Clover Cotton Mill. 

Above the mill was an enormous dam that supplied the great quantity of water needed to feed the giant steam engines that drove the machinery. Being 4 I just thought it was a good place to sit to watch the fire. My father led mum and me to enjoy the tragedy, along with the entire neighborhood.

 Dad was obsessed with fires. We had a beat up old car. He used to follow fire engines, so as to see a good blaze. 

They say that some firemen are arsonists.

Now I begin to wonder about dad? 

 Perhaps it is in the blood. Fires and explosions have always been tremendously exciting.