Today, we remember a tragic event that took place on August 25, 1972. On this day, the Kilbirnie Street fire in Glasgow claimed the lives of seven brave firefighters. This devastating incident remains one of the most significant losses of life for the UK Fire Service in peacetime.
The Kilbirnie Street fire began in a warehouse used by the Sher Brothers company, located at 70–72 Kilbirnie Street in the Port Eglinton area on the south side of Glasgow. The building, originally constructed as stables in 1899, had been repurposed multiple times over the years. By 1972, it was a cash and carry warehouse for textiles, clothing, and household goods. The building's structure included a ground floor, first floor, and an attic, all connected by internal stairs and a goods lift. The first floor was made of concrete, while the attic floor was a composite of steel and timber, supported by cast iron columns. The layout and stock of the warehouse created a high fire load, which had been noted during fire prevention visits in the months leading up to the disaster.
The fire was discovered around 11:21 am by an employee who saw it starting in the attic. The Glasgow Fire Service received three emergency calls, and within minutes, two water tenders and a turntable ladder were dispatched from South station under the command of Station Officer Carroll. Upon arrival, they found a serious fire in progress with smoke billowing from the building. All staff had evacuated safely, and initial firefighting efforts began under difficult conditions due to thick smoke and the cluttered layout of the premises.
Divisional Officer Quinn soon arrived on the scene and, after assessing the situation, called for additional reinforcements. Despite the efforts to ventilate the building and tackle the blaze, the complexity of the stock and internal partitions made it difficult to locate and combat the fire effectively. By around noon, as the initial crews grew exhausted, more resources, including an emergency tender with additional breathing apparatus and fresh personnel, were brought in.
Around 11:55 am, as conditions inside the building worsened, Divisional Officer Quinn ordered all personnel to evacuate. However, Fireman James Rook, unaware of the order, remained inside to assist with flare-ups in the attic. While trying to extinguish the fire, Rook and an officer were trapped by collapsing stock. The officer managed to escape and raised the alarm, prompting a rescue operation.
Despite the dire situation, Divisional Officer Quinn and a team of firefighters re-entered the building to save Rook. Between 12:05 and 12:20 pm, Quinn, Leading Fireman Alistair Crofts, and Firemen Iain Bermingham, Allan Finlay, William Hooper, and Duncan McMillan attempted the rescue. They found Rook and began to drag him out, but a sudden flashover—a rapid and intense fire spread—engulfed the first floor, causing a structural collapse. This tragic turn of events trapped and ultimately killed the rescuers and Rook.
The aftermath of the fire saw a roll call revealing the missing men, and further rescue attempts were made, but it was clear that the conditions inside the building were too hazardous. The fire was eventually controlled by external firefighting efforts, and the bodies of the fallen firefighters were recovered. The loss of Divisional Officer Quinn, Leading Fireman Crofts, and Firemen Bermingham, Finlay, Hooper, McMillan, and Rook marked one of the darkest days in the history of the Glasgow Fire Service.
In the days that followed, Glasgow mourned the loss of these heroes. Public funerals were held, and the men were laid to rest in the Glasgow Necropolis, with their names added to the memorial for firefighters lost in the Cheapside Street whisky bond fire of 1960. A fatal accident inquiry conducted later concluded that the fire spread rapidly across the hardboard-clad first floor ceiling, leading to the deadly flashover. The bravery and dedication of the men involved were commended, highlighting their selflessness and courage.
As we remember the events of August 25, 1972, we honor the memory of the seven firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their legacy continues to inspire those who serve in the fire service today.
