METROPOLE - 1961

Photo: Glasgowlife

Photo: Glasgow University Library 
On Oct. 28, 1961, a blaze destroyed the Metropole Theatre on Stockwell Street in Glasgow. The venue opened as the Scotia Music Hall in 1862. It featured a 160-foot foyer that opened into a music hall lined with dark polished wood. The builiding was also the scene of a fire in 1875, Wikipedia said.

DUNDEE WHISKY FIRE - 1906

On July 19, 1906, a whisky-fed blaze broke out at Watson’s Bond in Dundee - and burned for two days.  "Two million gallons of whisky went up in flames or down the drain," The Courier newspaper said in an August 202 remembrance. "It was enough, it was claimed, to provide every man in Scotland with six bottles of the hard stuff."

DUNLOP STREET - 1898

Photo: The Glasgow Story

On April 25, 1898, fire struck Glasgow's Dunlop Street.

The Glasgow Story website provides details:

"The blaze began at about 10pm in the building on the north-east corner of Dunlop Street and Howard Street, which had apparently been lined with wood as it was built during a plasterers' strike. Within five minutes, the roof had fallen in.

"As crowds gathered to witness the spectacle, Captain William Paterson brought two steam fire engines from the Central Fire Station in College Street and called for four more from other divisions around the city. 

"Three of these engines drew water from the River Clyde as the fire spread across Dunlop Street and engulfed buildings as far as Ropework Lane to the east."

Statuary was moved from nearby St Andrews Cathedral as flames threatened to spread west.

EDINBURGH - 1824

Image: Wikipedia

The Great Fire on Edinburgh erupted Nov. 15, 1824, and burned for five days. The disaster shortly after the city established a full-time fire brigade led by James Braidwood. An investigation exonerated Braidwood, according Wikipedia. He went on to lead London's fire service.

GREAT FIRE OF 1909

Firemaster Waddell

Glasgow's Great Fire of 1909 broke out on Aug. 17, apparently triggered by a gas explosion.

The conflagration destroyed buildings on Ingram Street, between Shuttle and High streets.

The website Glasgow Story said:

"Most of the buildings were warehouses thought to have contained wine, spirits, clothing and foodstuffs.

"At about 1 am the frontages of the buildings collapsed into the street.

"The falling masonry narrowly missing several firemen, who had come to the scene from Central Fire Engine Station, just round the corner on College Street.

"It took all night to put the flames out and the cost of repairing the damage amounted to over £250,000."

Glasgow Firemaster William Waddell provided the following account of the blaze to Fire Engineering, an American magazine:

"The fire had a firm hold when the brigade arrived. Five steam engines, two motors, one fire escape and two hose and ladder carriages responded. Sixteen hydrants were available. They were spaced about 180-ft. apart; seven had (2 1/2-in) outlets and nine with 2-in. outlets. The pressure varied from 80 to 90 lbs.

"Both gravity and direct pressure is stated to have been used. The mains, of which there were three, were 4, 7 and 9 inch, respectively. Ten engine streams were also thrown, making a total of 26 streams played.

"The nozzles ranged length of 17,000 ft. was employed, and of this 12 tenths burst It is described as `canvas.' Nozzles described as `G. F. B.' pattern were used; they had both screw and bayonet fastenings. The water supply was stated as plentiful."

The London journal Fire and Water published a blistering commentary:

"Glasgow has provided one more example of the foolishness of crowding together buildings of large area, erected without regard to fire risk, and of permitting the storage within such buildings of highly inflammable goods, without any provision for preventing the spread of any fire breaking out upon the premises.

"As is generally the case in such disasters, everything favored the rapid advance of the fire which broke out in one of the Ingram street warehouses shortly after midnight of August 16.

"The buildings, without any claim to fire-prevention in construction, were —owing it is said to a strike of plasterers at the time of their erection—doubly lined with wood, the stock was large, and consisted mainly of provisions and soft goods of an inflammable character, which a spell of hot, dry weather had prepared for ready ignition.

"Had the fire been discovered in its early stage it would in all probability have been dealt with as effectively as had previous fires in the same block of buildings, but starting late at night at the rear of the building, it had obtained so firm a hold before it made its existence known that it would have required a far more powerful firefighting force than was available to have prevented the destruction of the block.

"The dangerous character of the buildings was recognised by the late Firemaster Paterson, who expressed the view that no brigade in the world could ever save them should they once get well alight.

"It was recognised, too, by the insurance companies in their rating of the risks.

"The fact that the block destroyed was situate within a few yards of Glasgow’s new central fire station has, perhaps naturally, caused some adverse comment, thought it is obviously unreasonable to suggest that in the absence of means of giving the brigade earlier notification of the fire the firemen could have accomplished more than they did.”

STOCKLINE - 2004

1: Rescuers lower carbon dioxide monitors into cavities to check for breathing 2: Sensitive sound equipment detects vibrations which the human ear cannot pick up 3: People in collapsed buildings can survive for days in pockets formed by sturdy items such as drinks machines or filing cabinets

1: Rescuers lower carbon dioxide monitors into cavities to check for breathing
2: Sensitive sound equipment detects vibrations which the human ear cannot pick up
3: People in collapsed buildings can survive for days in pockets formed by sturdy items such as drinks machines or filing cabinets

Photos: BBC

Thank you to Fire Journal reader John Brown for telling us about the May 11, 2004, explosion at the Stockline Plastics factory at Woodside, Glasgow. The accident claimed nine lives and injured about 40 others. The owner of the plant was cited for safety violations. Queen Elizabeth II commended the emergency services for their work.

GRANDFARE - 1966

Grandfare store fire at Cowcaddens and Maitland streets in Glasgow in September 1966.

CLYDEBANK - 1941

Rescuer, identified in BBC photo as John Stewart, carries child from ruins

On the nights of March 13 and 14, 1941, German aircraft targeted the Scottish town of Clydebank and the surrounding area with bombs and incendiaries.

It was a prime destination for destruction - and the wartime fire and rescue services performed valiantly, battling the blazes and burrowing for victims.

Factories in the city, part of greater Glasgow, manufactured aircraft engines and munitions for World War Two. There were also shipyards.

Workers living in nearby tenements sustained terrible losses, with the attacks killing 528 people and injuring more than 600 others, according to the BBC.

On March 14, the previous night's fires ``were still blazing furiously, and the enemy, taking full advantage of the resultant illumination, carried out a further attack,'' according to an article entitled ``Clydside's  Ordeal By Fire'' by M. Chadwick.

 ''The seriousness of the situation can be gauged by the necessity to put into action over 200 pumps with the proportionate number of officers and men,'' according to the Chadwick article, posted on the website of Graeme Kirkwood.

Chadwick also told the story of fire brigade messenger boy Neil Leitch, age 16, who was repeatedly thrown from his bicycle on March 13, peddling to the Partick Fire Station to deliver his message:

``On one occasion, he was so badly injured that he was carried into a first aid dressing station. After the minimum amount of attention, he insisted upon proceeding with his message, contrary to the advice of the ambulance officers.

``He informed them that he must get this message through, as it was very important, and in spite of his injuries, continued on his way to Partick Fire Station. Just before he reached the Station, it was hit by a high explosive oil bomb and he received further injuries. Despite this, he heroically carried on and finally delivered the message.''

Tragically, Leitch succumbed to his injuries, Chadwick wrote.

He was gazetted by King George VI for his bravery and his nephew, James Leitch, went on to serve in the fire brigade, according to the BBC.

At a 2015 tribute to Leitch and others like him who died in the line of duty, senior fire officer George McGrandles of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said:

``The role of the boy messengers isn't widely known but it was absolutely vital. They took on an incredibly dangerous role to ensure fire crews could get to where they were needed even when bombs destroyed communications channels.''

James Leitch said:  "I grew up hearing about my uncle Neil ... These boys were forgotten. To me they deserve recognition.''

CAMERON HOUSE - 2017

Photos: STV

On Dec. 18, 2017, fire killed two people at the luxury Cameron House hotel and resort on Loch Lomond.

Fourteen appliances and more than 70 firefighters were at the scene at the height of the blaze, which was reported at about 6:40 a.m., the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said.

The 18th Baronial century mansion was converted to a hotel and resort in 1986, the Telegraph reported.  

WATSON STREET - 1905

On Nov. 19, 1905, a fire at a Glasgow lodging house claimed 39 lives.

Known as No. 2 Home, the building at 39 Watson Street housed more than 300 men.

Recalling the fire a century later, the Scotsman newspaper said:

``Firemen struggling to reach those trapped inside had to battle up the single stairway, pushing their way through the throng of panic-stricken men flooding towards the one exit.

``The fire had started on the fourth floor, just below the attic where yet more men slept. The firemen had only ten minutes in which to mount their rescue before they were forced back by the heat of the blaze.

``In this time they rescued nearly 40 men – men who would have surely perished but for their perseverance.''

Cut off from below, some residents took to the roof.

The Scotsman said:

``Donald McNab, who was physically disabled and used a rutch, later described seeing men hammering away in desperation at glass windows with their bare hands. He waited with a blind man and a paralysed man whilst the able-bodied around him tried to flee.

``One man, Jack Findlay – later hailed as a hero – used McNab's crutch to break the windows. He returned to help the three disabled men onto the roof and found a ladder leading to a neighbouring building. Over thirty men's lives were saved that way – over the roof, most naked in the bitter cold.''

EDINBURGH FIRES - 1955

Photo: Scotsman
C&A Modes

Photo: Scotsman
CW Carr & Aikman

On Nov. 10, 1955, fire broke out at C&A Modes department store on Prices Street, Edinburgh, hours after a major fire at the city's CW Carr and Aikman shoe and boot warehouse on Jefferies Street, according to The Scotsman newspaper.  

CENTRAL HOTEL - 1951

Photo: Daily Record

Fire at Central Hotel in Glasgow in 1951. Clock tower sustained serious damage, according to Daily Record's "Unseen Glasgow" feature.

TEMPLETON'S - 1889

Photos: Glasgow City Council, Illustrated London News

On Nov. 1, 1889, high winds caused a collapse at James Templeton & Co's carpet factory in Glasgow. Twenty-nine people died. 

The website The Glasgow Story said:

"The workforce was composed almost entirely of East End women and many were buried in the ruins.

"The Eastern and Central Fire Brigades attended the scene under Superintendent William Paterson and they were assisted by the Glasgow Salvage Corps and policemen in their search for survivors."

In a July 2013 article recalling the tragedy, the Evening Times newspaper said:

"The victims had been in a weaving shed on Glasgow Green, next to an extension being constructed at the original Templeton's Carpet factory.

"The four-story extension's walls had been partially constructed and only the roof remained to be put in place.

"It was November 1, 1889 and a cold and windy winter day.

"At 5.15pm and it was dark outside.

"Suddenly one of the extension walls was blown over, crushing the shed."

The victims ranged in age from 14 to 25.

Their names were, according to the Evening Times:

Sisters Elizabeth, 17, and Agnes Broadfoot, 21
Margaret Arthur, 20
Margaret Blair, 16
Helen Bradley, 21
Margaret Cassidy, 18
Lilias Davitt, 19
Agnes Dickson, 16
Jane Duffie, 20
Janet Gibson, 16
Dinah Gillies, 19
Jean Glass, 20
Sarah Groves, 22
Ellen Wallace, 23
Margaret McCartney, 17
Minnie McGarrigle, 24
Agnes McGregor, 17
Martha Mackie, 20
Elizabeth McMillan, 15
Rose Ann McMillan, 21
Jeannie Marshall, 22
Jemima Morris, 23
Grace McQuillan, 19
Margaret Shields, 22
Elizabeth Sinclair, 25
Mary Ann Stewart, 16
Annie Strathearn, 19
Mary Turnbull, 15
Annie Wilson, 14

KINGSTON DOCK - 1914

Photo: Illustrated London News

On June 18, 1914, fire swept Kingston Dock in Glasgow. According to the website The Glasgow Story:  "Two workmen started the fire while boring holes using a red-hot bar" on timber soaked in creosote. "The blaze spread quickly round the dock and destroyed all of the sheds and four wooden schooners moored in the basin."

ST ENOCH - 1903

On July 27, 1903, train at Glasgow's St Enoch station collided with buffer stop, killing 16 people and injuring 27 others.

JAMES DUNLOP

Photo: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Heritage Trust

 

He was awarded the George Medal for heroism in the line of duty. Retired fireman James Dunlop, a survivor of the 1960 Cheapside disaster, died Sept. 28, 2014, at the age of 85.

Excerpt from obituary in The Scotsman newspaper:

On his first day as a qualified fireman, James Dunlop and his colleagues were called out to what seemed to be a routine incident in the city centre: smoke was seen issuing from a whisky bond in Cheapside Street.

James Dunlop drove the turntable ladder into Warroch Street, which flanked the west side of the bond.

In Warroch Street Dunlop’s colleague, William Watters, mounted the ladder, which was then extended so that Watters could direct water on to the bond.

As firemen searched for the source of the smoke there was an explosion.

The blast blew out the walls overlooking Cheapside and Warroch Streets and the falling masonry killed 14 firemen and five members of Glasgow Salvage Corps.

The masonry also damaged the South’s turntable ladder and Watters was left hanging by his safety belt high above the street.

Whisky barrels in the bond then rolled out of their racks and smashed open on Warroch Street, creating streams of burning alcohol which started to envelop the ladder.

Ignoring the flames surrounding him, James Dunlop extended the turntable ladder to its full height to release safety catches and then lowered Watters to the ground.

Both men made their way to safety as their turntable ladder was totally destroyed by the fire.

Six members of Glasgow Fire Service received bravery awards for their actions at Cheapside Street.

James Dunlop was one of two who received the George Medal.

His citation read: “Fireman James Dunlop displayed great personal courage by remaining at the controls of his ladder … and assisting Fireman William Watters to safety.”

GLASGOW SCOOSHER

Photo: Glasgow City Council

From Glasgow Story: Mark 1 Scoosher at warehouse fire at St Ninian's Street, Gorbals, on Nov. 23, 1969. Unique to Glasgow. Hydraulic boom featured infrared detector, steel spike and water monitor. Allowed operator to detect fire, break window and extinguish. 

EMERGENCY TENDER

Photo: The Doric Columns
Aberdeen Fire Brigade emergency tender, circa 1930, at the city's King Street fire station

INVERGOWRIE BAY - 1979

Fire brigade at scene

On Oct. 22, 1979, an express plowed into a stalled train near Dundee, Scotland, killing five people and injuring 51 others in the Invergowrie rail disaster.

The Courier newspaper recalled on the 35th anniversary:

"Dozens of police, firemen and paramedics fought through weeds and thick foliage to reach the wreckage at Dargie Glebe.

"They were then confronted with a scene of almost unimaginable horror.

"The two carriages that had landed on the wet sand of Invergowrie Bay were beginning to sink and passengers were frantically trying to smash windows and doors so they could escape.

"Ladders and ropes were used to reach the carriages and injured passengers.

"One of the first task medics had to carry out at the scene was to amputate the leg of a 74-year-old woman."

HYNDLAND SCHOOL - 1977

"There was a flashover."

On Oct. 12, 1977, flames destroyed Hyndland Secondary School, Glasgow.

The fire brigade contended with low water pressure.

The West End News reported: "The Water Board were carrying out work within the area" and "urgent requests were made to have the pressure increased."

Student Audrey Edmiston said: “When I arrived the roof was just falling in. There were sparks everywhere, and the smoke was thick and black.”

Another pupil, Catrina Campbell, said: "I witnessed the whole fire from the first moment we saw smoke coming from the top floor. I could feel the heat from the road below, and it was very spectacular when the windows blow out.”

In an account posted on the website Urban Glasgow, Michael Fleming, a fire officer assigned to the Knightswood Station firefighter, recalled "there was no sign of fire" on arrival.

"After about ten minutes of investigating inside the school a member of the public ran to the fire engine to inform us that smoke was coming from under the eaves of the roof on the far side of the school entrance.

"My crew of four men where sent to the roof void with a line of hose to attack the fire.

"When we got into the loft we spied the fire at the far end of the building and proceeded to drag our line of hose as near to the flames as we could when suddenly there was a flashover which cause us to exit the roof space as quickly as possible before it engulfed us all in flames

"The whole roof void was now an inferno.

"This school was built in Victorian times and had lath and plaster walls and ceilings throughout which meant it had many nooks and crannies behind the walls and ceilings which allowed embers from the fire in the roof to drop to the ground floor inside the walls causing fires in classrooms all over the school.

"The speed at which this occurred was amazing. By this time there were many fire engines in attendance trying to save the school.

"I remember my crew were fighting fires in classrooms all around us on the top floor when the water was cut off suddenly for about ten minutes.

"We retreated to the only classroom not involve yet in fire and waited in terror for the water to come back on again.

"That was the longest ten minutes of my life as we tried to think of some way to escape if the water was too late coming back on.

"If I remember correctly workmen had been in the roof space with an acetylene cylinder working with tar before they went for their lunch that day."