Tag: Kilbirnie Street fire

Fallen firefighters remembered

Seven firefighters who lost their lives in a Glasgow fire have been remembered more than five decades since the tragedy.

Sunday, 25 August marks the 52nd anniversary of the Kilbirnie Street fire at a textiles warehouse.

During the fire at Sher Bros’ cash and carry in 1972, Firefighter James Rook became trapped by debris.

Without hesitation, six of his brave colleagues formed a rescue party to save him.

Tragically, an explosion occurred causing part of the roof to collapse on the rescuers.

The fallen were Divisional Officer Andrew Quinn, Leading Firefighter Alistair Crofts and Firefighters Iain Bermingham, Allan Finlay, William Hooper, Duncan McMillan and James Rook.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service honoured them on Friday (23 August), with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Glasgow Necropolis.

The event was attended by Chief Officer Ross Haggart and invited Glasgow dignitaries.

Chief Officer Haggart said: “That night 52 years ago on Kilbirnie Street, Glasgow lost seven of its finest firefighters.

“It is right and proper that we gather each year in the city to honour and remember each one of them alongside their loved ones.

“Their sacrifice to protect their community and each other serves as a poignant reminder of the often-perilous circumstances that firefighters can face.”

Red plaque unveiled for seven firefighters on 50th anniversary of Kilbirnie Street fire

A red plaque has been unveiled to commemorate seven firefighters who lost their lives in a fire in Glasgow, Scotland, 50 years ago.

Andrew Quinn, Alistair Crofts, Iain Bermingham, Allan Finlay, William Hooper, Duncan McMillan, and James Rook were responding to a warehouse fire on Kilbirnie Street when they were killed after a ceiling collapsed while trying to rescue Rook, who was trapped.

It was one of the highest losses of life for the UK fire and rescue service at a single incident in peacetime.

The plaque is part of a national Red Plaque Scheme run by the Fire Brigades Union and funded through the Firefighters 100 Lottery, aiming to commemorate firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The unveiling took place at the site of the fire on Kilbirnie Street on Sunday (28 August), three days after the 50 year anniversary of the incident.

Ben Selby (FBU Vice President), Colin Brown (FBU Executive Council Member for Scotland), Ross Haggart (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Chief Officer) and Bailie Norman MacLeod (Glasgow City Council) spoke at the unveiling and paid tribute to the sacrifice of the seven firefighters who died.

Seona Hart, FBU Scotland Regional Treasurer, said: “This incident was a tragedy which had a huge impact on firefighters and the community locally. The plaque will help us all remember the huge sacrifice these firefighters made keeping the public safe.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line, and their selfless work to protect others deserves to be remembered. The Red Plaque Scheme plays an important role for the loved ones of firefighters who have died in the line of duty, so that their sacrifices are not forgotten, as well as sharing their stories with the community.”

The Red Plaque Scheme is fully funded by proceeds from the weekly Firefighters 100 Lottery which has been able to create several Plaques each year since it began in 2017. Over time, as supporters of the Lottery continue to grow, more Red Plaques can be placed at the heart of communities affected by firefighter fatalities.

More information on the Red Plaque Scheme can be found at: 

www.firefighters100lottery.co.uk

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