At 12.30 on the morning of Tuesday 17th September 1909, flames were observed coming through the roof of a double cottage in Blantyre. The fire broke out at a house called, “Redburn” which consisted of 5 rooms and a kitchen in each, situated in a residential area just off the Blantyre Ferme Road. The tenants […]
It was a cold, dark night on Friday 22nd October 1909. Like many menfolk, miner, David Stewart had been out at a public house spending some of his wages on drink. However, David would be worse for wear by closing time and his subsequent actions would have consequences. David returned to his home in Auchintibber, […]
On Sunday, 7th November 1909, a terrible fire took place at 6 Douglas Street, burning down a tenement building and taking the lives of 2 people. The sensational commentary was told in some detail in local newspapers and is retold here. Attached also to illustrate, from 1910 -1915 is this remarkable photo showing the timbers […]
It’s hard to imagine just how much one part of Blantyre can change SO much in 100 years, but these pictures taken at the same spot on Glasgow Road, 100 years apart demonstrate just that. This is the junction at Victoria Street on the right. In the old photo, children feature prominently perhaps on way […]
Wee snippet of history from 1967 next. As demolition contractors pulled down some of the prefabs in High Blantyre during Autumn 1967, a fire left behind by them caused concern for remaining residents. Contractors had been burning rubbish on the site but one day when they left, thick smoke started to invade nearby homes, prompting […]
On Thursday 14th November 1912, a fire took hold of a building at Thornhill Avenue (The Dandy), Blantyre. The unfortunate house was Priory House and when fire was observed around two o’clock that afternoon. Priory House at that time belonged and was tenanted to Mr John P. M’Caffrie, a spirit merchant who owned a pub […]
On Tuesday 22nd July 1913, fire filled the air at the bottom of Forrest Street, with plumes of smoke and flame that could be seen from High Blantyre. That afternoon, the former oil refining works belonging to Messrs William Sommerville and Sons and situated at the bottom of Forrest Street. Blantyre, was destroyed by fire. […]