APPALLING FIRE

Northern Advocate, 9 July 1925, Page 5

APPALLING FIRE

GLASGOW LIT UP

WHOLE STREETS SWEPT.

terrified, inhabitants.

(Received 9 a.m.)

LONDON, July 7. \

The Glasgow lire destroyed the fam-,. pus Kelvin Hall exhibition building, ;j Covering several acres and also gutted; a church. Whole streets of tenement houses were ablaze. Only; an unexpected change in the wind saved the famous Art Gallery. The fire broke out in Kelvin Hall, which was largely constructed of timber. Soon the whole fabric was ablaze. The flames were blown by a strong wind, involving the tenements opposite. The inmates, who were preparing the evening meal, fled in terror, carrying young children. t Every available fi/e engine in Glasgow was quickly on the spot. The fire call was wirelessed all over West Scotland. The whole population of Glasgow turned out to witness the terrifying spectacle. Owing to the strong wind the danger of the fire spreading is not yet over. —A. and N.Z. The damage is estimated varymgly from £250,000 to £1,000,000. > No lives were lost. Seventy-eight flats were involved. The flames weTe so great that the spectators were first driven back 200 yard? and then forced to retire still i further.

The wind carried sparks and actually started a fire a quarter of a mile away from the central lire in Kelvin Hall. Thus the Kelvin Grove New Free Church was set ablaze. Firemen rushed to the new out* break, but already the interior was a roaring furnace and the building was completely destroyed in 15 minutes. The church, which was relatively new, was a small replica of Rheims Cathedral. "While the flames were roaring below the towers collapsed and crashed into the street. The spectators had a very narrow escape. —A. and N.Z.

SIX AT ONCE. BRIGADES KEPT BUSY. (Received 5.20 >a.m.) LONDON, July 8. Kelvin Hall belonged to the Corporation and had the largest floor space in Scotland. Blantyre Street, from which the tenants fled, resembles a war-shat-tered street in France. Not (i single pane of glass is left in the houses. Tenants attempted to return, to collect their valuables; but'the. police had to prevent them. ,>> The firemen had'to fight six . fifes at once.—Reuter.