A petition has been launched calling for the Manx government to stop the sale of the Summerland site and instead turn it into commemorative gardens.
It was launched on Sunday by Tina Brennen, who was 19 at the time of the disaster, and vividly remembers watching the complex go up in flames from Port Jack, while holding her five-month-old daughter.
The petition states: ‘We strongly believe this site should be dedicated to the 50 men, women and children who died there.’
‘When 3,000 people entered Summerland, Douglas, Isle of Man on the night of August 2, 1973 they trusted they would be safe within it.
‘Fifty people lost their lives and 80 were seriously injured due to the Isle of Man authorities and companies who made many mistakes when designing, building and operating it.’
It continues: ‘We believe a remembrance garden will provide a peaceful place for families and friends of loved ones.
‘A place to reflect and celebrate the lives of all those who died; a place to demonstrate our compassion for all those who suffered physical injury or mental trauma as a result of this tragic event.’
She said that the Summerland site is now under offer and the parties are in negotiation – but that an offer can’t be accepted and approved until Tynwald sits in October.
The online petition was launched on Sunday and a paper version will be distributed around the island this month.
Mrs Brennen, of Glen Vine, plans to present the petition to Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK in September.
She believes it is the ‘moral duty’ of the government to stop any building development taking place on the site.
‘We do not have the right to capitalise or make money from a site where so much death and suffering was brought about,’ she said.
‘I believe there are many people who are of the same mind and I ask that they sign on the GoPetitions website, or go to my Facebook page called Summerland Fire and click on the link to the petition.’
She described watching the fire as being ‘like looking into the jaws of hell’.
She added: ‘I think there’s generations growing up that don’t know the full facts. If they did, they wouldn’t want a building on the site.’
A public inquiry report, published in May 1974, found there were ‘no villains’ responsible for the fire. It made a series of recommendations, after saying the design of Summerland meant it was ‘vulnerable to the spread of fire’.
It drew attention to the waiving of a bye-law to permit the use of combustible Oroglas in the walls of the building, as well as to a neglected fire regulation and building errors. It was also critical of the organisation and training of staff in firefighting.
Commenting on the report, Mrs Brennen said: ‘Apparently, there were no villains. Yet from its earliest inception Summerland was always a tragic accident waiting to happen.’
She said: ‘We owe all those who died a great debt. Because of their sacrifice, proper fire legislation, building control and fire safety procedures were very quickly tightened up here and across the UK.
‘We know if our backs are against the wall we have a fighting chance of getting out safely. The people in Summerland didn’t get that chance.’
Sign the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/summerland-for-commemorative-gardens.html