February 19, 1903: SHORTLY before eight o'clock on Tuesday evening, a somewhat serious gas explosion, resulting in injury to three persons, occurred at the house 8, Gladstone-terrace, off Church-st., Westhoughton.

The building was unoccupied, but preparations had been going on for an incoming tenant, named Thomas Adamson, in the way of putting in a new bedroom floor.

This work was accomplished, and on the new tenant coming in for cleaning purposes prior to occupancy, a strong smell of gas was noticed. This was reported, and the owner, Mrs Watkinson, who lives within a few doors, endeavoured, along with Adamson and a man named Michael Thompson, to discover the source of the leakage.

Under the boards there was a large accumulation of gas, for immediately on the board being raised an explosion occurred. Mrs Watkinson was blown right across the room, while Thompson and Adamson were also burned about the face.immediately on the board being raised an explosion occurred. Mrs Watkinson was blown right across the room, while Thompson and Adamson were also burned about the face.

February 19, 1953:IN an all-round increase of 24 per cent in calls made on Bolton Fire Brigade in 1952 - the greatest single increase for many years - chimney fires were more than doubled. In his annual report, Mr R.C. Bentley, Bolton's fire chief, says he is not satisfied that the increase can be ascribed entirely to growing fire consciousness or to the use of substitute fuels, though there is little doubt that unswept chimneys have a considerable bearing on the numbers - 167 last year against 71 in 1951.

February 18, 1978: BOLTON town centre is heading for a car park crisis this year. Development plans already approved will cost the town 1,200 parking spaces. About 700 will be lost when the new sixth form college and sports complex is built at Spa Road. Another 300 will disappear south of Crook Street, and 200 more at Dawes Street, when the southern limb of the inner relief road is begun. A detailed report is expected soon from council chief officers about ways of providing more car parking space.

February 19, 1993: BOLTON councillors voted to close Silverwell Street Sports Centre last night amid jeers from a 30-strong crowd of protesters. Demonstrators warned the fight was not over. Petitions have been started, and the campaigners threatened a boycott of Bolton Metro College where the facilities are being moved.

MEMBERS of a Bolton congregation have sold their cars to help raise money for a new church building. The Bolton Pentacostal Church has collected over £265,000 for the new premises at the Bury New Road - Bradford Street junction, and only £10,000 of the total has come from outside the congregation.