Fred Dibnah marked the start of his 64th birthday celebrations with one almighty bang.
The Bolton steeplejack and TV personality felled the 150ft high chimney in the Kirklees Valley, Brandlesholme, in 2002.
More than 400 people turned out in rain and hail to watch Fred light the fire which brought the chimney tumbling to the ground in 14 minutes and 30 seconds. The chimney had been built for the Kirklees Bleach Works in 1850.
Fred said: “I’ve done about 90 of these and it is simply old hat now. This one’s nice and easy.”
“There’s not many left to knock down now and it is quite sad that another piece of our history is to disappear.”
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