does anyone recall that shocking night? i think it was 1960 maybe around march. 19 firemen were killed in the fire that raged at cheapside docks. i was in auldhouse boys home at the time. i was fifteen and due to leave at easter to make my way solo in the big world. never forget that night. the supevisor, mr peters,came to our room and woke us up to tell us. it blew our minds 19 heroes gone just like that. that night has stayed with me down through the years. those guys didn't care for their own safety they had a job to do.

On Monday 28 March 1960, fire broke out in a whisky warehouse in Cheapside Street at Anderston Quay. The Glasgow Fire Brigade were in attendance when, at around 7pm, an explosion occurred, trapping nineteen firemen in the rubble. Three fire engines were also buried in the rubble. After five hours extra units were sent from Paisley, Coatbridge, Shotts and Dumbarton but it was the following day before the fire was brought under control. Early that morning it was officially announced that there could be no hope for the trapped firemen.

It is generally accepted that the Cheapside fire was one of Scotland’s worst fire disasters.

Luceo

Film of fire here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/history/scot...topic=emergency

I remember the james wattst fire and my da was crying when he came home as he saw the people schreeming at the guards on the window and was so helpless to help a was only a wee lassie and a think it was the first time i saw ma daddy crying it is said ;we will go to hell I sometimes think we live in it as there is fire somewhere around the world makes you think eh

I well remember this fire. We lived in Shamrock Street at the time and could see the flames from our window.

My husband's brother was one of the firemen attending this fire.
We were watching TV and knew nothing until my husband's sister-in-law came to our door in a terrible state. It had been announced on the TV channel she was watching, that the building had collapsed on some fire engines.

My husband and his sister-in-law spent half the night going between Cheapside and the Fire Station trying to find the names of the men injured. Finally down at Cheapside they saw his brother, he was one of the lucky one's.
It took my brother-in-law a long time to get over this disaster.

He was in Kelvinside Station and they had been alerted to go to Ingram St. Station to man it, as all their engines were out at Cheapside. On their way down there they got a radio alert to go to Cheapside. They arrived a few minutes after the building collapsed killing 14 Firemen and 5 Salvage Corp men.

A fine memorial is located in the Glasgow Necropolis and details the events and those who sadly lost their lives.

http://www.glasgowguide.co.uk/images_Glasg...lis_index5.html



GG.

I still recall the very sad atmosphere of that particular evening so well. A family friend who was a firefighter was called out to that fire, he was graciously returned safely to his family. Although I was only a wee lassie I well remember the feelings of anxiety in the house and the terrible sadness that hung over the city in the days and months afterwards. A terrible night and terrible loss to us all. I don't think we could ever forget those brave men who perished.

Hi

My name is Andrew Wood and i'm a student at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. I'm looking to make a documentary about the Cheapside St Fire and i wondered if you would be intersted in taking part??

Regards

Andrew Wood

Andrew I received your e-mail and thank you. Sorry, but everyone on here will tell you just how shy and retiring I am, I might give you the odd wee song however appearing on a documentary? Aw naw! Thanks anyway, and I wish you every success at the academy. See ah was only a wee lassie at the time of the fire ( ah don't even tell them on here that ah'm that auld ye see) They canny hear me when a talk in brackets.
Good luck with the documentary though.

My uncle was one of the Firemen (station officer) at the cheapside fire and lost a few of his men in the fire, he died a few weeks ago (84) and I know it haunted him for all of those years that he lost so many friends work mates in that fire and yes they were heroes but unsung most of the time.

God Rest his very brave soul Andy.

I remember the Cheapeside fire very well back in thr 50s my Wife's cousin's husband was Decorated with the G.M. for his effort in that fire, my Wife and I were invited to the Fireman's Xmas Party, at the Hall, his Fire Station was down somewhere at the bottom of I think Avenuepark St. also there was the Fireman's houses right there as well, yes I certainly remember the Cheapside fire, I think he earned his Medal when the wall collapsed something he never spoke about

Correction ,I thought that the cheapeside fire happened on 1959 but I see that it was on 1960 my Wife and I lived on Fernie St. at that time, I can't remember my Wife's cousin's Married name but her name was Mary Swan

To Andy R1 what Station was your Uncle stationed at, my Wife's cousin's Husband was stationed down off Avenuepark St, I think that it might still be there I remember seeing the residences back in 2005 I think, my Wife and I used to come home every year up until 2005

I went to Cheapside Street,that night,with my mum,she got told my Dads Work was on fire,Alex. Munro the butchers,next door to Arbuckle Smith,the bond,when we got there the fire was blazing,like you see when London was getting bombed during the war,it was bad,we saw the building explode on to the fire engine,and the fireman on the ladders fall into the fire,it was a sad night, everywhere,in glasgow that night,I was only 9years old at the time,Im 58,now and have never forgot those brave men on that night,and feel a plague should be placed at Cheapside Street, in memory of the 19 souls that died,that night,and there families, J.F.Rochford,22/08/09

yes i remember that night i was 6 and stayed in tradeston i had just got back from the kelcin hall cnt remember was is the shows but remember the sky being red bob

here is couple of photos the first is the funaral the secons is the morning after the fire

There is a plaque in Cowcaddens station which was originaly up at the Albion Street station.
My uncle was killed in the fire.
The 50th anniversary is next month & I hear there is a memorial tribute being arranged to mark it.
I can't believe so many years have passed.

I remember the Cheapside fire very well, my Wife's Cousin's Husband was a Fireman and he was awarded the George Medal for his actions at the fire his name is Jim Miller they lived at the Fireman's Residence near Avenuepark St..

My mum had been to a ladies meeting that night in Temple on leaving the hall they were watching the glow in the distance mum slipped and broke her ankle and had to wait till naxt day for treatment because the WESTERN was too busy.

None of us knew at the time how bad and devastating the fire was.

welcome back agnes&robert its been a wee while since you have been on

Just watched the 50th anniversary programme on BBC Scotland. What a terrible thing to have happened. These brave men deserve to be remembered. Before my time, but have often heard about this through the years.

Have been reading everyones comments. My grandfather Fireman Christoher Boyle was killed in the Cheapside Street fire leaving a 5yr old(my dad), 3yr old girl, 1.5yr old boy and 3wk old baby girl. Was very emotional watching the programme on Sunday night thiking one of the coffins was my grandfather that I never got to meet. I am trying to find a picture of my grandfather in his fire brigade clothing to give to my dad as he doesnt have any photos but cant find any within the family. Tried contacting Glasow Fire Service but dont think they can help. Does anyone have any ideas?

Hi Sharon, I hope you have some luck in getting the photo of your brave grandfather. You might want to try the local newspapers at the time as chances are they would have wanted to publish pictures of all the dead firemen.

Re the 50th anniversary of the deaths of the 14 firemen and five salvage corps members (the worst peacetime tragedy in the British fire service's history), there's a short video on the current BBC news page which shows the damage done by the fire:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgo...est/8591609.stm

GG.

My Dad was a fireman stationed at Cheapside st and attended that fire...
I have a photo of him walking towards the camera at the exact moment the explosion happened!
He always said he heard someone call him but never found out who it was but it saved his life as most of his watch blew up and his fire engine ( he was the driver) Francis Holmes!!!
What they dont say is tha t the surviving firemen had to dig their colleagues and friends out and ID them by what was left, ie wedding ring, st Christopher medal etc!!! it was horrific!
We were moved from Imgram st to partick firesation and Dad was posted to Andreson then as there were no firemen left apart from Jimmy Dunlop I believee!
Nice to see it remembered and honoured by the city last month though!

Hi Sharon, My Dad was Freman Frank Holmes and I have phoros of him with his friends unfortunately they are in storage at the mo but I will look through them when I get them out as Chris Boyle was stationed at Cheapside st on the same watch as Dad I think... which fire station did he and his family live in do you know?
Kind regards, Florence

My Uncle was one of the fireman that survived the Cheapside street fire. Sadly there is not much information on those heroes that did survive. As someone mentioned the horrors their uncle endured digging out and identyfing there best friends.

The first I found out about Cheapside was a visit to a GP who had been brought in out of retirement to cover staff shortage for the day. He asked about my unusual name and connection with relatives. Soon he was telling me my family history and about how fireman back then lived in firestations with their family. How my aunt had helped out counselling bereaved wifes.

My father is 85 now and doesnt say much about it other than it was a terrible tragedy.

My uncle had also been a prisoner of war captured by the Japaneese. My dad says that when my uncle was freed he would talk without moving his lips because to survive camps they couldnt be caught talking.

At his funeral there was never any mention of any of this but several bus loads of people came to pay there respects at the church.

I did see a photogragh a few years ago on the fire station website talking about Ingram st station.

It had a photograph of my uncle with 5 firemen when he first joined in ??1940s. I think he was only 18 and nicknamed Dad Golby.

My dad had been an auxillary fireman, when we saw the fire from our house in Partick, my dad went down to the local fire station to see if he could assist in any way, he was told that the "profesionals " were handling it, as we stood and watched the flames my dad felt bad that he could do nothing to help.
Eddie

I don't remember this fire as it was before I was born but I do remember the fire in Kilbirnie Street which claimed the lives of 7 firemen. One of which was my sisters friends husband. They had both married firemen and both had young children. Although I was only 7 at the time I remember it having a lasting effect as I grew up. Her friend and her husband had a fire brigade flat at govan fire station and from what I can remember 4 or 5 of them lived in that building.
I have always had the greatest respect and admiration not only for the firemen but also their families who know every time they go to work the are risking their lives.

I was coming back from the Plaza in Govan and came back down Water Row to go hame along the bank of the Clyde behind Harland's. I dont need to close my eyes to see the flames. It is always in my memory. It was a tragedy that hurt all of Glasgow.