TERRIFYING FIRE IN GLASGOW

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12185, 9 July 1925, Page 7

TERRIFYING FIRE IN GLASGOW

FLAMES DEVOUR EXHIBITION HALL AND TENEMENTS BEAUTIFUL CHURCH LOST SUDDEN CHANGE IN WIND SAVES FAMOUS ART GALLERY By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON, July ;. Fire destroyed the famous Kelvin Hall, the Glasgow Exhibition building, which covers several acres, and also gutted a church, and whole streets of tenement houses were ablaze. Only an unexpected change of wind saved the famous Art Gallery. The fire broke out in Kelvin Hall, which is largely built of timber, and soon the whole fabric was ablaze. The flames were blown by a strong wind, involving tenements on the opposite side of the street. The inmates, who were preparing their evening meal, fled in terror, carrying their young children. Every available fire-engine m Glasgow was quickly on the spot, and a fire-call was wirelessed all over the west of Scotland. Ihe whole population of Glasgow turned out to watch the terrifying spectacle, and owing to (a strong wind danger of the fire spreading is not yet over. (Received July 8, 5.5 p.m.) Estimates of the damage vary from £250,000 to £1,000,000. No lives were lost. Seventy-eight flats were involved. The flames were so great that the spectators were first driven back 200 yards, and then forced to retire still further. The wind carried sparks, and actually started a fire a quarter of a mile away from the central fire in Kelvin Hall. Thus the Kelvin Grove New Free Church was set ablaze. Firemen rushed to the new outbreak, 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 Reims Cathedral. While the flames were roaring below the towers collapsed, and crashed into the street. The spectators had a very narrow escape. Reuter’s Telegram. Kelvin Hall belonged to the Glasgow Corporation, and had a larger floor space than any other building in Scotland. Blantyre street, from which the tenants fled, resembles a warshattered street in France. Not a single pane of glass is left in the houses. The tenants attempted to return, to collect their valuables but the police had to prevent them. * The firemen had to fight six fires at the one time.