The fire was devastating to the local community and it burned for three days, destroying 81 houses and making 180 people homeless. The project interpreted and explained this tragic, yet fascinating, story.  

The project created its own festival to commemorate the tragedy and engage more people with the heritage. It was called the Handley Waistcoat Festival because, according to the stories, so many clothes were donated to the survivors. It was said you could tell a Handley man as he wore not two but three waistcoats.

The project worked with schools, scouts, historians and an animator to produce a film, photographs, animation, a storybook and artwork. Teaching resources helped local school children to learn about the heritage.