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The Night Glasgow Burned: The Cheapside Tragedy

大象传媒 Scotland Investigates 2010

As tributes are paid to those who died in the fire in Glasgow 50 years ago, Reevel Alderson looks back at the Cheapside Street fire and government failures in its aftermath.

The deaths of nineteen men in a tragic whisky bond fire in Glasgow in 1960 represented the worst peacetime loss of life for the fire service. The fire in Cheapside Street was one of a series of disasters in commercial premises in Glasgow which earned the city the nickname 'Tinderbox City'. Yet despite the loss of life and the bravery of those who survived, little was done to ensure such a tragedy could never happen again.

As commemorations are held to pay tribute to the dead, 大象传媒 Scotland correspondent Reevel Alderson looks back at the Cheapside Street fire and government failures in its aftermath.

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 23 Nov 2011 14:10
大象传媒 One Scotland

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  • An article about the fire on the Scotland's History website.

Clips

See all clips from The Night Glasgow Burned: The Cheapside Tragedy (3)

Aftermath of the fire

Aftermath of the fire
A turntable ladder which was crushed by the explosion in Cheapside Street, before its crew were able to raise the ladder. Three firemen died in this incident.

Aftermath of the fire

Aftermath of the fire
Damping down operations in Warroch Street, the morning after the explosion in a whisky bond in which 19 firemen and salvage corps members were killed.

Aftermath of the fire

Aftermath of the fire
The damaged turntable ladder operated by James Dunlop who was awarded the George Medal for bravery when he defied orders to bring down a colleague who had been blown off the platform above the fire which destroyed a whisky bond.

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