Courts / Dublin / Report

Stardust fire like a 'living thing coming after you', survivor tells inquest

Summary

During the inquest into the Stardust nightclub fire, 19‑year‑old Deborah Osbourne described the blaze as a "living thing" that chased her and her friends. She recounted how she and three companions tried to reach exits five and six, holding hands in a desperate attempt to escape. Thick black smoke and intense heat made visibility impossible, and she described the sensation of her hand sticking to a seat as she tried to stand. Osbourne suffered burns to her head, face, arms and hands, and inhaled smoke that damaged the lining of her lungs. She also recalled finding Sandra Lawless, one of the victims, and hugging her before falling to the floor. Osbourne expressed regret for not taking Lawless with her and described the fire as a "monster" that forced her to fight for survival. The inquest heard additional witness statements about blocked exits, attempts to pull people out, and the chaotic conditions inside the club.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Stardust fire like a 'living thing coming after you', survivor tells inquest. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 14, 1981 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2023-11-09 Publication

Why: It was very hard to get back up because people were panicking, and you were getting pushed back down. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report