It has been 64 years since one of the UK’s deadliest peacetime fires at Glasgow’s Cheapside Street claimed the lives of 19 members of the fire brigade and salvage corps.
The blaze at the Arbuckle, Smith and Company whisky bond on March 28, 1960 began around 7:15pm and was so ferocious that 450 firefighters attended in addition to every fire appliance in the city.
The volume of alcohol stored in the warehouse – more than 1 million gallons of whisky and rum – caused a huge explosion which destroyed much of the building and led to the deaths of 14 of the firefighters.
The fire raged out of control for many hours and it ultimately took over a week to be fully extinguished.
The 19 who gave their lives to tackling the blaze are laid to rest at a tomb in Glasgow’s Necropolis. A memorial service will be held today – as it is annually – to remember their bravery and service.
Being remembered are:
- James Calder
- John McPherson
- John Allan
- Christopher Boyle
- Gordon Chapman
- William Crocket
- Archibald Darroch
- Daniel Davidson
- Alfred Dickinson
- Alexander Grassie
- George McIntyre
- Edward McMillan
- Ian McMillan
- William Watson
- Edward Murray
- James McLellan
- Gordon McMillan
- James Mungall
- William Oliver
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