By Maggie Barry
The Mirror
GLASGOW, Scotland — Survivors helped mark the 50th anniversary of Britain’s worst peacetime fire service tragedy yesterday.
Fourteen firefighters and five salvage corps members died in an explosion as they tackled a blaze at a whisky warehouse in Glasgow.
The fire at Arbuckle, Smith and Company on March 28, 1960, became known as the Cheapside Street disaster and the anniversary events began with a wreath-laying ceremony at Glasgow’s Necropolis, attended by veterans of the blast, other firefighters and families.
It was followed by a service at Glasgow Cathedral and a two-minute silence in George Square.
The death toll would have been much higher had it not been for the courage of Glasgow’s firefighters and six of them received bravery awards. The honours included two George Medals, three British Empire Medals and one Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct.
During a moving speech to those who gathered at the Necropolis yesterday, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue’s chief officer Brian Sweeney said: “It is a pleasure to know that several veterans of Cheapside Street are taking part in this memorial service.”
He described the impact of the tragedy on a generation of Glaswegians, who are able to remember where they were and what they were doing when the news broke. Mr Sweeney said: “They saw the impact of the disaster on their television screens or by watching the flames and the glare of the blaze in the night sky from the safety of their homes.”
The fire chief recalled how, following the disaster, thousands watched in silence as the cortege made its way to Glasgow Cathedral for the funeral service.
He ended his address with the tribute: “Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Lest we forget.”
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