The son of a firefighter injured in a huge mill fire nearly 70 years ago is trying to trace the heroine whose bravery led to his father's rescue from the blazing building.

James Murray was the only casualty of the inferno which swept through mohair and worsted spinners Jeremiah Ambler in Canal Road, Bradford, on December 9, 1936.

He was injured when a ceiling collapsed as he fought the blaze, which caused more than £100,000 damage.

But brave switchboard operator Jennie Turner, then aged 21, remained in the building after about 1,300 workers had been evacuated and put through the call to the ambulance service which led to him being rushed to hospital.

Now Mr Murray's son, also called James Murray, hopes he can trace Miss Turner, who then lived in Thornbury Drive, Thornbury, and who was hailed a heroine in the Telegraph & Argus account of the blaze.

The report cites how "she proved to be one of the key figures in the drama".

"With a candle by her side Miss Turner remained at her post putting through calls to the fire station, police headquarters and Bradford Royal Infirmary," it says.

"With all the confusion around her, Miss Turner imperturbably dealt with a rush of telephone communications, quietly informing would be business callers 'I'm sorry, we are rather busy'.

"She it was who put through a call for an ambulance when Fireman James Murray was carried from the fire by six police officers. Murray was attempting to push further towards the seat of the fire when part of the roof collapsed on him.

"He is detained at the Bradford Royal Infirmary suffering from shock and abrasions."

Mr Murray, who was only three at the time of the blaze, is now compiling the history of Bradford's fire service.

He said he wanted to hear from anyone who knew Miss Turner and what happened to her.

He also wanted to hear from relatives of other firefighters who served in Bradford at the time to provide more material for his book.

He said he had conflicting reports of what had happened to his father in the fire. He might have fallen through a burning floor or the roof might have collapsed on him.

"My father wouldn't speak about his experiences during the war or in the fire brigade," he said.

"When I found out that when 1,300 people had been evacuated from the building, Miss Turner had insisted on staying there to act as a liaison with the fire headquarters I thought, OK, my dad's a bit of a hero, but so was she and I would like to find out more about her."

He said he remembered his father, who died in 1969, had walked with bow legs. He believes they were both broken in the incident, but has no further details.

The family lived in Ravenscliffe and Mr Murray now lives in Lincolnshire.

Anyone who can help his research can contact him on (01673) 838425.