I hope you’re enjoying my look at the 1890’s Blantyre. It’s one of my favourite times for local history, not just because of the sheer amount of change, but also the many excellent and little known stories that formed part of our history. Like this one, when an outbreak of fire at High Blantyre Railway Station in June 1895 caused a local panic, given how close the flames were to two adjacent saw mills.
About 12.30, just after midday on Thursday 13th June 1895, a mineral train passed by the High Blantyre Station and a spark from the locomotive sparked over towards a nearby goods shed. The shed contained barrels of paint, paraffin and oil. The shed was enclosed by a sleeper fence some 24 feet x 18 feet.
The stationmaster who observed the smoke, immediately raised the alarm and by time response came, flames had taken hold. Workmen from Messrs Warnock and Walkers, Mr Adams Sawmills and the plate layers of the railway sprang into action and subdued the flames.
The place where the fire occurred was situated in the immediate vicinity of the saw mills adjoining the station, as shown on this 1896 map. Other major buildings were nearby such as the Church.
Owing to the prompt action of the workmen, the station was saved, the damage kept to a minimum. Ai imagines the scene.
On Social Media, the following comments were received on Facebook:
Fairlie Gordon 1890’s that is when my Great-Grandparents ( From Fermanagh, Ireland ) came to live in Blantyre,