New plaque unveiled at Leeds station in honour of firefighter who died 133 years ago
He died fighting a fire underneath Leeds railway station
A commemorative plaque has today been unveiled in honour of firefighter James Potter Schofield, to mark the 133th anniversary of his death fighting a fire underneath Leeds railway station.
The Red Plaque can be found at the Dark Arches entrance to the Leeds Station, off Neville Street.
James 'Jim' Potter Schofield died on 13th January 1892 while tackling a huge blaze that broke out in the arches underneath the railway lines.
It ignited as a result of a soap manufacturer storing 16,000 tons of highly combustible materials in the arches.
Jim took over from his brother William on duty shortly before the platform he was standing on collapsed and he fell into the fire below.
Described by newspapers at the time as the biggest fire Leeds had ever experienced, it took firefighters from across the region twenty hours to extinguish.
Jim was remembered as a hero by his fellow firefighters and the general public, with 20,000 people turning out to watch Jim’s funeral procession a week after his death.
A memorial was also set up in Woodhouse Cemetery, where he is buried.
"Keeping their stories alive"
The plaque is part of the Red Plaque Scheme, funded by the Firefighters 100 Lottery, and set up by the Fire Brigades Union to remember fallen firefighters and honour their sacrifice.
Gavin Marshall, Fire Brigades Union regional secretary for Yorkshire and Humberside said: “James Potter Schofield lost his life while protecting the city of Leeds from a huge railway station fire.
"Today’s ceremony has been a unique and special occasion, bringing together firefighters with the wider community to mark Jim’s place in our shared history.
“Thanks to the researchers at Leeds Beckett University for uncovering this history, and to all those involved in bringing Jim’s story to life today. Together we will make sure his bravery and sacrifice is never forgotten.”
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary said: “Our Red Plaque scheme commemorates the lives of firefighters who have died in the line of duty, keeping their stories alive.
"Funded by the FBU's Firefighters 100 lottery, these plaques ensure that fallen firefighters are remembered at the heart of the communities they served.
"Plaque unveilings are an opportunity to bring serving and retired firefighters together with the local community. We remember story of James Potter Schofield and the Leeds railway station fire of 1892, as an important part of the history of the fire and rescue service and of the city of Leeds.”