Gerry Brooke looks back on stories about a devastating fire in Eastville, the future of Concorde, Brunswick Chapel and local beauty queen Gaye Hopkins

Dominating the front pages this week of September 1977 was a story about an explosion and fire which had ripped through the Raj Indian restaurant in Eastville’s Stapleton Road.

Five people - three males and two females - living in flats above the three storey building had lost their lives in the inferno.

The restaurant belonged to businessman Nazir Muhammad who also owned the Bristol Knitwear Centre opposite, which suffered damage to its windows.

The blast, which threw rubble and glass over a 50 yard area, was heard up to four miles away, and witnesses said flames shot 30 to 40 feet into the air.

A spokesman told the Post that when the fire brigade arrived on the scene they found the whole building ablaze from top to bottom.

A few days later 28 year old Mohammed Arshad, the manager of the restaurant, was charged with destroying the building.

This was the third major explosion in the city in just nine months - the other two being in Park Street and Bishopsworth.

Concorde was also making the front pages with the workers at BAC being devastated to hear that no more aircraft would be produced at Filton.

Government losses on the programme of 16 planes were estimated at some £200 million.

Then Sir Archibald Russell, the world renowned aircraft designer, upset them even more by announcing, “ There will never be a Mark II Concorde.”

The former Chairman of BAC Filton said that the expense was so great that no one would undertake the development without a firm commitment from the airlines to buy.

In other news Iain Patterson, the city’s deputy planning officer, told Bristol councillors that “one more winter of neglect” would be enough to finish off Brunswick Chapel, in Brunswick Square.

And admirers of full time model and beauty queen, 24 year old Gaye Hopkins from Yate, were pleased to see her come third in the Miss Great Britain Contest held in Morecombe.

Gaye’s success meant a cash prize and a fortnight’s holiday abroad.

Lastly City FC fans were looking forward to seeing Manchester City striker Joe Royle playing at Ashton Gate later in the season when transfer negotiations had been completed.