A photograph showing the disasterous consequences of a fire at the premises of W & R Hatrick & Co, wholesale and export druggists in Renfield Buildings, 7 January 1898. The view is from the interior of the building (which had been erected in 1881) looking across Renfield Street to a crowd of curious Glaswegians.
The fire had begun at 2.50am. Captain William Paterson was on the scene quickly with the Northern and Central Divisions of the city's fire service, and the blaze was brought under control. At about 4.20am however, as the last firemen were dampening the wreckage, there was a large explosion which was believed to have resulted from the ignition of chemicals stored on the site. Four firemen were killed in the blast and two others taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary with serious injuries.
Reference: TD 338/23/37
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
chemicals, chemists, disasters, explosions, firemen, fires, Glasgow Fire Brigade, Glasgow Fire Service, Renfield Buidings, W & R Hatrick & Co, wholesale and export druggists
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