Shining a light on an evening that almost spelled disaster for Sheffield is the focus of a new video released by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.

The video titled “The day Sheffield nearly blew up”, is a conversation between Chief Fire Officer Chris Kirby and retired firefighter Arther Levick.

During a wide-ranging conversation that touches on the Cuban Missile Crisis, how firefighting has changed since the 1960s and the shadow of the Second World War, the video culminates in Arthur’s recollections of a fire at Effingham Street gas works that almost ended in disaster in the late 1960s.

Arthur said: “When I received my long service medal from the late HRH the Queen, it said on it that it was for exemplary service, and I can’t think of a greater example than that night at the Effingham Street gasworks. It felt like I really became a firefighter that night.”

Chris Kirby said: “Major disaster was averted by the actions of Arthur, his colleagues and many members of staff at the gas works that night.

“It’s often the case that if there is a major incident that does result in mass fatalities, those are the emergencies that are remembered and memorialised. But there are many occasions in a firefighter’s career where, through their actions, disaster is averted and not remembered. I hope that through this interview we can change that for Arthur and his colleagues.”

It is the latest episode in a series of videos called Fire Stories, published to give the public a unique insight into South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.

The most recent episode, released to coincide with the service’s 50th year, featured a conversation between the current Chief Fire Officer, Chris Kirby and former Chief Harry Wright.

All videos are available to watch on YouTube.