RE your article, “The day a town mourned” (Echo, July 1), about the 60th anniversary to the day of a gas leak that killed 11 workmen at the former Consett Iron Company, which was sent to me by relatives in Spennymoor.

I was approaching 20 and on that fateful night had attended a dance at The Grove. I had queued for a bus back to Consett as I lived in Alexandra Street with my family, but when it turned up there was not enough room so I proceeded to walk home.

As I passed the steelworks, always well lit at night, it became clear something had happened.

I stood on tiptoe to look over the steel fence surrounding the works to see ambulances and fire engines. I just knew something very serious had happened.

When I arrived home it was to a ticking off from my Mother for being so late. I tried to explain, but the next word was “Bed”.

The following day the full horror was reported in the national newspapers and we were all shocked and saddened to read that Harry Tucker was among those killed.

Harry was our neighbour when we lived in Cedar Gardens in The Grove.

I am nearing 80, but the events have always remained vivid in my memory.

Mrs Elizabeth (Betty) Bell, Leicester.