Firechasers, The

Before the credits start we see a couple park up for a kiss just before the building behind them explodes and bursts into flames. This could be a dressed genuine location.

They speed off to call emergency services, only to find that the telephone receiver wire has been cut as is that in the next box. The car is coming over what could be dock swing bridge and Antony Blair identifies this as Dock Road in Brentford which can also be seen in 'Layer Cake'.

A daylight shot from Antony proves the location.

This time success. Unidentified location.

The engines and trucks are on their way. Slough Fire Station, Tuns Lane, Slough, Berks.

Behind the titles the engines race to the scene. High Street, Slough, Marks & Spencer to the left and about to approach ‘Suters’ to be seen later in the film.

They reach the raging fire. Lightened to perhaps aid identification, but maybe the building was on its way out in any event.

Reporter Toby Collins (Anjanette Comer) is prompted to contact Quentin Barnaby (Chad Everett) of the International Federation of Insurance Group to follow up her theory that the recent fires are all linked. Millbank Tower, London SW1

The north-east side of the tower. SJ

The camera pans down for us to see Chad arrive in his 1964 AC Cobra 289 [COB6018] also seen in ‘Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World’.

The buildings in the background also survive. SJ

Chad is collected and taken by Jarvis (Allan Cuthbertson) to the scene of the fire, a wine warehouse. Recognised by Antony Blair, this is looking north on Half Acre in Brentford, outside the former police station.

A new lamp post graces the scene in Antony's modern view.

Not long after, at a similar time of night, another fire is igniting, this time a toy store. I am tempted to think that this could be a set. Geoff Dodd confirms that my temptations were correct advising that this is a Pinewood Set and appeared as 'Baker Street' in 'The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes' - See our Capture 2 of that film.

This time Quentin drives himself to the scene whilst the fire is in progress. Another part of the set perhaps. Yes indeed, see previous Capture.

He slows as he approaches the bystanders. If this is a set could this also be a matt shot? Whether or not, it is a Pinewood Studios set, see Capture 10.

A further fire vehicle arrives, meanwhile, Jim Maxwell (Keith Barron), freelance photographer, risks life and limb to obtain action shots. Toby just happens to be there too.

Eventually Quentin is tempted to meet up with Toby to follow up her ‘instinct’ that the fires are linked as a result of arson. Windsor Road, Slough approaching the High Street junction.

It would seem that Michael Gerrish was there just in time to capture the last remaining original property in the screen capture.

They continue on their travels. Looking south-west on Brent Way in Brentford located by Antony Blair.

Reconstruction continues apace in Antony's comparison.

Toby takes Quentin to a telephone box with a broken receiver. Is this the same box as in Capture 3? Chalvey Road West, Slough looking towards the junction with King Edward Street.

This shot from Michael shows that the bus stop remains although the telephone box, be it real or a prop, has gone.

She takes him on further. Di Davies certainly knows her Slough, she tells us that this is Windsor Road looking towards the crossroad with Chalvey Road East and Mere Road with Arbor Lodge on the diagonal corner and the entrance to Eton Rural District Council Offices to the right.

The view today from Steve Randall. The large Trinity development replaces old houses at the crossroads. (RL)

To another telephone box…..with a broken receiver……yes, “it could be vandals”. Church Street, Chalvey looking towards St. Peter’s Church.

Michael acknowledges that isn't from exactly the same spot as the screenshot, but St.Peter's Church is now obscured by trees, and it does show that it was near to the same bus-stop as in Capture 16.

We see someone rowing towards a water side building, shortly after there is a large explosion and the night watchman is thrown to his feet. Looking north-east across Brentford Dock found by Antony Blair.

Big changes were found by Antony with an apartment building on Justin Close replacing the centre warehouse.

The fire takes hold, the night watchman tries to escape and both Quentin and Maxwell risk life and limb to save him, the latter, all the time taking photographs. Brentford Dock located by Antony.

Antony provides this view of the scene 50 years later.

In the morning Quentin returns to the scene of the fire. Looking towards Tower Bridge.

Quentin and his assistant Val , perfectly dressed and with handbag, ‘split up’ to look for clues amongst the charred remains as to the starting of the fire. Looking across to West Dock, St Katharine Docks and warehouses “B” and “C”

A woman once again telephones Quentin at his office regarding the latest fire and as he keeps her talking the police trace the call…. Maple Street, London W1 with Conway Street off to the right.

A much quieter London.

….and drive off…. Maple Street, London W1 and the junction with Fitzroy Street off to the left.

It all goes to prove that we have a much greener London these days.

……..and race to the address….passing through Rosery Gates, Battersea Park looking across to the houses in Queenstown Road, London SW8.

The Rosery gates are unchanged. SJ

…..and passing into the Park.

The south-east part of the park. SJ

As the police arrive at the telephone box the woman starts to make a run for it. Presumably, Battersea Park Boating Lake.

Bit of a struggle to confirm Battersea but I think this does a pretty good job in terms of tree shape and boating lake layout, but the next one is clearer. SJ

But is soon caught, but she is known to the police as she confesses to all high profile crimes.

This shows a reasonable match of Battersea boating lake. SJ

That evening Quentin calls on Toby so that she can show him photographs of the fire scenes taken by Maxwell. Holland Park Mews, London W11. Also seen in ‘Time to Remember’, ‘Corruption’, ‘Crossplot’, 'Don't Ever Leave Me' and 'In the Doghouse'.

From ground level, noting that there is no place for a garage in the Mews these days.

As he goes to leave he finds that his car has been sabotaged and Toby offers to take him home. Holland Park Mews looking towards Abbotsbury Road.

A clearer picture of how the location is now.

We follow their journey. Difficult to draw much from the image to establish the location. Such difficulties don't hinder Dave W, he has found this to be London Wall looking east across Moorgate.

A match in the middle: great effort, Dave. SJ

Arriving at his apartment block where he soon finds a tea maker has been placed and set to explode, just like all the warehouse fires. Geoff Dodd has resolved this location for us, Kingfisher House on Melbury Road W14 with the view being taken from Abbotsbury Road.

Looking south. SJ

Whilst at a party Val happens to see the taxi that has appeared at all the recent fires, and runs downstairs to find out more. Thankfully, not too long before Dave W resolved this short sequence, Victoria Grove Mews W2 off Ossington Street.

Gloriously empty. SJ

But it soon drives off with its passengers. As Dave says, "a 180 degree spin of the camera" provides the opposite view of Victoria Grove Mews W2 off Ossington Street

The bin is almost in the same place. SJ

She runs back to her own car to give chase. A longer view of Victoria Grove Mews W2 off Ossington Street as identified by Dave.

Looking south again. SJ

Taking a sharp turn. The road sign behind says ‘….on Way’. Dave W literally burnt the midnight oil to be rewarded with Lion Way, Market Place, Brentford. Further reward for us all is to learn that the background building was once the Electric Cinema, built in 1910 to screen silent movies, closing in 1915. Its interesting afterlife can be found on the brentfordlockisland.com website. (RL)

55 years late, taken by Antony Blair who adds that "There's a Blue Plaque in honour of the painter J.M.W. Turner on the pub wall as he was in residence on this site in 1785." The premises were called the White Horse at the time of filming, currently known as The Weir.

She sees the taxi pull up and allow the passengers to get out. Nell Gwynn House, Sloane Avenue, London SW3 which is also seen in ‘Recoil’, 'The Invisible Asset' and ‘Delayed Action’.

Not quite the correct angle but this entrance is blocked with building works at the moment (Nov 21), so an improvement won't be immediately forthcoming. SJ

As the taxi pulls out Val follows close behind. Sloane Avenue looking towards the crossroads with Whitehead's Grove.

This replaces my shot from the wrong side of the road in November 2021. The trees have survived but are starting to tilt alarmingly and the road lighting is less immoderate. SJ

The taxi passes through an archway, closely followed by Val. Ray Glenister resolves the mystery with Chilworth Mews, London W2 also seen in 'Guilt Is My Shadow'.

Looking north to Eastbourne Mews across Chilworth Street. SJ

The taxi turns right into ….... Dave W spotted this as Kings Road, London SW10, specifically looking at 552 that was 'The College of St Mark and St John'.

Looking across King's Road. SJ

….and parks on the pavement, watched by Val, who sees three girls climb out and on to the vehicle and over the wall. The notice may say "HOSPITAL Quiet Please" but was actually a teacher training college.

The wall is still there under the shade of the burgeoning trees. SJ

Val has to do a quick “U” turn to continue following the taxi. Val "U" turns back into Lots Road, London SW10

Much of the terrace has gone to make way for Westfield Park but the immediate left is intact and more colourful. SJ

The taxi comes to a halt by Hammersmith Bridge opposite our old friend Digby Mansions.

I have never seen so few cars parked here.

She chases the driver along Lower Mall with Hammersmith Bridge in the background.

The new 'Riverside Studios' development now occupies the background.

To see a door slowly closing on a moored boat.

Living on the river still remains attractive.

he approaches the boat via the gang plank. 'Rutland Arms' out of shot to the left.

Eating and drinking 'al fresco' is now even more popular.

Looking through a window she sees paintings of the fires. Hammersmith Bridge and Digby Mansions in the background.

This is a bit approximate, not having access to the water so very replaceable. Scaffolding currently covers the Digby Mansions. SJ

Val telephones Quentin who soon arrives only to find that the driver/painter is a totally innocent person, Roscoe (Roy Kinnear)

Once again, evidence of just how easy it is to park there now.

It would now seem that Maxwell is the arsonist, so Quentin and Toby go in search of him as he approaches his next location. ‘Suters’ were at 155 High Street, Slough.

Steve Randall provides this view of the location now advising that Suters was sold in 1978, the site was Debenhams until recently, now it appears to have gone decidedly downmarket. (RL)

Having set his device Maxwell makes his way home. Alastair Jones resolves the location for us, Queensdale Road/Norland Square looking east towards Princedale Road, London W11. The unfortunately closed and redeveloped 'Prince of Wales' public house in the background.

Now. SJ

Val and Toby watch him enter his basement flat. As identified by Alastair in the previous capture, Queensdale Road/Norland Square looking east towards Princedale Road, London W11. The unfortunately closed and redeveloped 'Prince of Wales' public house in the background.

Taken on a quiet bright Sunday morning. SJ

Quentin calls on Maxwell and tricking him with the time of day Toby calls to say there is a new fire. Unidentified location.

On their way to the fire Maxwell makes a sharp right turn. Warwick Way, London SW1 about to turn into Wilton Road.

The Tesco's has fairly recently downsized. And Warwick Way has been more restricted since the 2020 lockdown. SJ

As they approach the impending fire site the car draws to a stop. High Street, Slough, ‘Suters’ were just out of the frame to the left.

With many changes and having to rely on the location description, Antony Blair captured the scene today.

With no evidence of a fire Quentin and Maxwell go to search the premises and on Quentin’s instructions Val goes to call Inspector Herman. Looking back to the High Street from a pedestrian area now absorbed into re-development.

The screen acknowledging the co-operation of the stated fire authorities appears to show an Underground station on the right hand side. Dave W worked hard on this one and came up with convincing evidence that this is Newgate Street, London EC4 looking towards Cheapside/New Change with St. Paul's underground station to the right.

There is only so long that one can safely stand in the road to take a shot of a much changed scene since the 1970's