A MEMORIAL service to firefighters who died 55 years ago will take place at the Necropolis tomorrow.

 

On the evening of March 28 1960 a fire broke out in a bonded warehouse owned by Arbuckle, Smith and Company in Cheapside Street in Anderston.

The Glasgow Fire Service was initially alerted by a 999 call at 7.15pm from the foreman of the Eldorado Ice Cream Company which was near the whisky bond.

He reported smoke coming from a second floor window of the warehouse.

In response two pumps from West Station with Sub Officer James Calder in charge was sent, along with a Turntable Ladder from Central Station.

Also responding initially was the Fire Boat 'St Mungo' and a Salvage Tender and crew of the Glasgow Salvage Corps.

The first fire crews arrived at 7.21pm and after a quick reconnaissance three more pumps were requested to attend.

Crews were informed by civilians that smoke and flame had been seen on the Warroch Street side of the building and additional crews and equipment were sent to investigate.

Assistant Firemaster Swanson had now arrived on the scene and having been fully appraised of the situation increased the number of pumps (fire engines) to eight.

This message was sent at 7.49pm and seconds after it was transmitted a major explosion blew out the walls of the premises virtually destroying it.

The warehouse contained more than a million gallons of whisky and rum under one roof.

This burned out of control for several hours, as off-duty firefighters from Glasgow and fire brigades from the surrounding areas were called in to assist.

In total of 30 pumping appliances, five Turntable Ladders and four support vehicles were sent to the scene from around the area.

Witnesses reported seeing bright blue flames leaping 40ft into the sky, with the glow visible across the entire city.

Neighbouring buildings, including a tobacco warehouse, an ice cream factory and the Harland and Wolff engine works, were engulfed.

At the height of the blaze, 450 firefighters from the Greater Clyde valley were involved in fighting the fire, which took a week to extinguish.

The incident remains Britain's worst peacetime fire services disaster.

Those who lost their lives: Glasgow Fire Service Sub Officers James Calder and John McPherson and Firemen Christopher Boyle, Alexander Grassie, Edward McMillan, Ian McMillan, William Watson, John Allan, Gordon Chapman, William Crocket, Archibald Darroch, Daniel Davidson, Alfred Dickinson and George McIntyre. Glasgow Salvage Corps Deputy Salvage Officer, Superintendent Edward Murray, Leading Salvageman James McLellan and Salvagemen Gordon McMillan, James Mungall and William Oliver.

The memorial service will take place at 10.45am at the Glasgow Necropolis.

The ceremony will be attended by fire service veterans, including Cheapside Street veterans, senior SFRS officers and a Guard of Honour. During the ceremony, veterans, fire officers and other Fire Service representatives will lay wreaths at the Fire Service Memorial.