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27 March 2026
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Vintage: 66th anniversary of the Cheapside fire disaster in Glasgow
We remember the 14 firemen of Glasgow Fire Service, now Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and five salvagemen of the Glasgow Salvage Corps on the 66th anniversary of their deaths at a Fire and explosion at a Bonded Warehouse, Cheapside Street, Glasgow on 28 March 1960. At 19:15 on 28 March a 999 call was received by Glasgow Fire Service control reporting ‘smoke issuing’ from the Warehouse of Arbuckle, Smith & Co Ltd. Two appliances were dispatched from West Fire Station along with a turntable ladder from Central Fire Station. In addition, Fireboat ‘St Mungo’ was ordered along with a Salvage tender from the Glasgow Salvage Corps.
At 19:21, on arrival of the first crews, an assessment of the scene identified a developing fire on the second floor of the warehouse, issuing from the windows.
At 19:49 an assistance message to ‘make pumps 8’ was transmitted to fire control.
Seconds after an explosion occurred, caused by the rupture of heated barrels of alcohol. The explosion caused major structural collapse of the external walls instantly killing the 14 firemen and five salvagemen who were struck and buried by the falling walls.
A further assistance message was transmitted to ‘make pumps 20, make turntable ladders five and order emergency tenders’ to fire control.
The last trapped person was finally removed on 31 March 1960.
This remains the largest loss of fire service personnel lives in peacetime.
We remember:
Glasgow Fire Service
Fireman John Allan
Fireman Christopher Boyle
Fireman Gordon Chapman
Fireman William Crockett
Fireman Archibald Darroch
Fireman Daniel Davidson
Fireman Alfred Dickinson
Fireman Alexander Grassie
Fireman Ian McMillan
Fireman George McIntyre
Fireman Edward McMillan
Fireman William Watson
Sub Officer John McPherson
Sub Officer James Calder
Glasgow Salvage Corps
Salvageman Gordon McMillan
Salvageman William Oliver
Salvageman James Mungall
Leading Salvageman James McLellan
Superintendent Edward Murray
May they rest in Peace.
Source: The Fire Brigade Museum
At 19:21, on arrival of the first crews, an assessment of the scene identified a developing fire on the second floor of the warehouse, issuing from the windows.
At 19:49 an assistance message to ‘make pumps 8’ was transmitted to fire control.
Seconds after an explosion occurred, caused by the rupture of heated barrels of alcohol. The explosion caused major structural collapse of the external walls instantly killing the 14 firemen and five salvagemen who were struck and buried by the falling walls.
A further assistance message was transmitted to ‘make pumps 20, make turntable ladders five and order emergency tenders’ to fire control.
The last trapped person was finally removed on 31 March 1960.
This remains the largest loss of fire service personnel lives in peacetime.
We remember:
Glasgow Fire Service
Fireman John Allan
Fireman Christopher Boyle
Fireman Gordon Chapman
Fireman William Crockett
Fireman Archibald Darroch
Fireman Daniel Davidson
Fireman Alfred Dickinson
Fireman Alexander Grassie
Fireman Ian McMillan
Fireman George McIntyre
Fireman Edward McMillan
Fireman William Watson
Sub Officer John McPherson
Sub Officer James Calder
Glasgow Salvage Corps
Salvageman Gordon McMillan
Salvageman William Oliver
Salvageman James Mungall
Leading Salvageman James McLellan
Superintendent Edward Murray
May they rest in Peace.
Source: The Fire Brigade Museum
