Chimney Felling! (1932)

Full title reads: “Chimney Felling! Well known Lancashire landmark - 315 feet high and 81 years old - demolished with great accuracy. Weston Near Runcorn, Lancashire, England. Flat capped man inserts explosive charges into holes bored into the base of a chimney. The detonator cable or fuse can be seen trailing from the hole and the one next to it. Man depresses handle on electric detonator. Close shot of the charges exploding and a hole being blown in the base of the chimney. Two men work to enlarge the hole blown by the explosives, they knock away bricks with a sledge hammer and large chisel. Long shot of the chimney as it begins to collapse. A large proportion of the chimney comes crashing down with bricks and dust being scattered around. A good half of the chimney is still standing as the story ends. Sound track missing. There appears to have been a shorter, silent version of this item in Gazette 1882. This is currently missing. FILM ID: A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ. EXPLORE OUR