Firecrews tackle the flames. Picture by Tim Fox

In the immediate aftermath, some feared a terror attack bringing back horrific memories of the major explosion which hit Shrewsbury in 1992 when the IRA launched an attack on the town.

They planted three firebombs and an explosive device, bringing central Shrewsbury to a standstill.The most devastating damage was done by a bomb which exploded on the ground floor of Shrewsbury Castle and an incendiary which was planted on the first floor.

The castle housed the Shropshire Regimental Museum and many priceless military treasures were destroyed by flames and smoke.

Still fresh in the memory for many, too, is the fire which threatened to destroy much of the historic fabric of Shrewsbury in 2002 when flames ripped through the roof space of medieval Bear Steps and neighbouring properties in Fish Street.

The blaze broke out at the Grade II listed, timber-framed 12 and 12a Fish Street, then occupied by the Evanjali children’s shoe shop and a three-storey house.

The flames burnt out the upper floor, with smoke spreading to the adjacent Bear Steps complex, home of Shrewsbury Civic Society.
Within hours of the blast, officials were called to check for damage to the black and white, timber-framed Rowley’s House, which houses Shrewsbury’s museum and, currently, an exhibition in honour of Charles Darwin.

The site, too, is just a stone’s throw from Shrewsbury’s latest entries on the architecture map the always controversial Quantum Leap sculpture and the Theatre Severn.

Upon hearing the news, many turned to Shropshire Council’s webcam at the theatre, which was, inadvertently, beaming live pictures of the blast across the web.

Immediately after the explosion a cordon was established, with roads around the Mardol area of the town sealed off.
But Shrewsbury folk are used to this.

After all,this is a town which just 10 years ago suffered some of the very worst flooding on record, and which is still regularly affected when the River Severn rises and breaks its banks.

Ilana Devane, who runs a lighting shop there, has experienced the floods before, sometimes with water coming into the shop above knee-level.

She, like others, knows only too well how to cope.

Despite the expected build-up of traffic there was no irate shouting. No blaring of horns. Soon the traffic was flowing smoothly, if somewhat slower than normal. People were simply getting on with things.

Ilana summed up the prevailing mood.
“I had a very good day in the shop Saturday for sales, but presumably a lot of stock has been broken,” she said, before adding: “We are insured and I’m still alive and healthy.”

But once again the most remarkable feature of this all-too-dramatic event was the fortitude of the human spirit.

Some acts seemed quite small, but were nonetheless worth their weight in gold.

Take Jill Box, the manageress at the King’s Head pub just yards from the blast zone.

Her pub, unscathed, became a focal point for people who had gathered to check on their own businesses and members of the emergency services shivering in the cold.

Jill set up a “comfort room” so that people could get teas and coffees.

“We went and had a look to see if we could lend a hand and have been giving tea and coffee to anybody that needs it,” said Jill, matter-of-factly, as if it were an everyday occurrence.

Other acts of human kindness were more obvious, more heroic. Salopian Bar owner Ollie Parry and Shrewsbury resident Tim Phillips were among the first at the scene. Neither thought twice about their own safety as they rushed to help the victims, despite the glass and falling debris.

They, like many others in the area, just wanted to help. Over the coming days and weeks, don’t be surprised to see more acts of kindness emerging.

While the number of casualties is shocking, one can only be thankful that this incident did not happen on a Saturday night. Just a few hours before the blast the Shrewsbury Hotel would have been packed with late night revellers.

Had it happened at the height of the Christmas period the list could have been a lot longer.

The impact of the explosion will be felt in the town for some time to come, but Shrewsbury will recover.
It always does.