TPR shouted back to me that I should follow him up the hill to ‘See this!’

Ahead of me on the right hand side I could just make out an orange glow. As I approached it, I saw an occupied office block on fire. Instead of jumping out of the windows to safety, office workers were clambering up the building. Others encouraged them, claiming that the best place to shelter from the flames was a roof-top water garden.

My mother was sitting on a bench opposite the blazing building. My sister was meant to be looking after her, but had disappeared to Newcastle for an unknown period. Afraid that the fire could spread across the road, I threw my mother over my shoulders and onto my back, then carried her downhill.

Not long afterwards the whole city was ablaze. The only place of safety was the crowded canal.