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Marton Hall, erected in 1853, was the palatial home of Henry Bolckow, first Mayor of Middlesbrough and one of Teesside’s foremost iron and steelmasters, but after the First World War it became a white elephant. The hall, with the surrounding park, was given to Middlesbrough Corporation by the Dormand Stewart family in the 1920’s.
  
Not used as a private residence for more than 40 years, the hall fell into decay and by 1958 its whole future was in the balance with Middlesbrough Council having to decide whether to pull down part or all of the building. In fact such was the structural condition of the hall, it was decided to demolish and replace the building with an aviary and new conservatory.
  
Mid-way through demolition work, however, the hall was set on fire (it is thought by a carelessly discarded cigarette) and within a few minutes the timbers, ceiling and woodwork were blazing furiously and the building was alight from end to end.
  
The blaze was one of the most spectacular in Middlesbrough’s history and was watched by hundreds of people enjoying themselves in the park on the Saturday evening. Middlesbrough, North Riding and Durham fire brigades were quickly on the scene but there was difficulty getting adequate water supplies. The park lake was soon pumped dry and hosepipes stretching nearly one and a half miles to Ormesby had to be rigged up.
  
The roof caved in and burning ceilings collapsed until all that remained was the smouldering brick and stone shell. The fire was a case of history repeating itself, for the original Marton Lodge had also been burned down in 1832. The building of the aviary and conservatory went ahead and Stewart Park is still one of the town’s most popular recreation centres. It is now home of the recently refurbished Captain Cook Museum.

This article originally appeared in the May 1998 issue of Now & Then Magazine