ARGYLE Street was the scene of a fatal fire drama in May 1949 when the Grafton's fashion shop went up in flames.

The smoke was so thick that when the fire brigade arrived they couldn't work out which building was ablaze. At first, they thought it was the next door Argyle Cinema. Its worried patrons piled out, only adding to the crush and confusion on the busy shopping street.

Sadly, 13 shops girls, aged from 15 to 23, died in the fire.

There was heroism too, with two employees, George Kamill Platt and Solomon Winetrobe, both being awarded George Medals for their bravery.

The men, with little thought for their own safety, worked their way around a ledge, 50-feet above the street, to rescue female colleagues who were trapped at the top of the building.