NORTHERN FIRE FORCE
NATIONAL FIRE SERVICE
GENERAL LOG
No. K. 413/2
INSTRUCTIONS
to be pasted inside the front cover of any Occurrence Book now in use as a GENERAL LOG. See para 3, National Fire Service Instruction No. 119/1942
1. This Log is to be used for recording the following information :-
(a)
At Stations :-
(i) Details of periodical tests of appliances and equipment
which are not recorded elsewhere.
(ii) Change-over of watches including names of the riders
assigned to the various appliances and of the duty
personnel.
(iii) Any changes in appliance riders or duty personnel during
the watch.
(iv) Personnel leaving and returning
to the Station during their watch except where the absence is in q
connection with fires and other
incidents necessitating attendance by the Fire Service.
(v) Testing of telephones and alarm bells
(vi) Any other special occurrence concerning the Station
(vii) Messages received and sent in connection with these
matters.
(b)
At Subdivisional and higher Controls :-
(i) Details of the change-over of Control Room watches,
including names of personnel.
(ii) Testing of telephones.
(iii) Any other special occurrence concerning the Control Rooms.
(iv) Messages received and sent in connection with these
matters.
2. Entries must be made in ink and in chronological order. The standard abbreviations given in the National Fire Service Drill Book must be used, but no others.
3. Entries must not be rubbed out or otherwise erased. Any mistake should be crossed out by a single line, initialled and the correction written in.
4. No blank lines must be left and pages must not be torn out.
5 Owing to personal or clock errors, times of the same occurrences may sometimes be recorded differently in the various Stations. No comparison of entries, or alterations in the times recorded, may be made without the permission of the officer in charge of the Station, or of the Mobilising Officer at Controls at higher levels, and they must initial any such alterations.
6. The day of the week and the date must be written at the head of each page. At midnight the book should be ruled off with a double line, and the following day and date written underneath
7. The officer in charge of the Station (or the Mobilising Officer at Controls at higher levels), must check the entries made and append his signature at the end of each watch period.
K/4 151/4/2
HOME OFFICE,
FIRE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.
December, 1942.
Appliances:- Standard Gwynne D14297 Towing Vehicle DXO39
First Entry
Thursday, August 1st, 1946 14-30
Wet drill, Pump working from open water (pool). Hydrants at Kitchen and College
used. Ladder drill at Tower.
Friday, August 23rd, 1946 20-00
New concrete floor completed in Station. Coy Off McBeath brought Towing Vehicle
DXO39.
3/6/1947 Exercise. Wet Drill. From Loch Ness to Swimming Pool.
Using dividing breech reckons that pump can deliver 200 g.p.m. Reckon also that
pump uses from 1 to 1½ galls of petrol per hour of pumping. Marked several
lengths needing repair. Trouble in starting DXO39, had to be primed with petrol
poured into carburettor by hand, using approx. ½ gallon. Present at exercise:-
Fm O’Donnell, Shields, Williams, McAulay, Condon, Matheson.
18/6/1947 ATU No. DXO39 transferred and ATU GXT862 received.
21/6/1947 Coy. Off. McBeth brought 4 hose racks.
8/8/1947 Phone message from Fraser Park notifying fire at
Whitebridge. S.T.U. and pump left in 5 mins. Personnel: O’Donnell, Donohue,
McAuley, Condon, McLaughlin, Williams. Arrived Whitebridge 17-20. Directed to
site of fire at Sawmill near Loch Knockie. Pumping commenced 17-35. Make-up
19-45. Off duty report to Area Control 20-30. Pump worked well except for one
brief stop. Petrol comsumed by S.T. U. 9 gallons. (mostly low gear work)
5/7/1949 Fire at Caennacroc.
6/7/1949 2nd run to Caennacroc to collect Pump, Hose
and Ladder.
1/2/1952 Fr O’Donnell left Fm Shields to take charge. Personnel
at this date:- Shields, Sherry, MacAulay, McLaughlin, Condon, Cullen, Donohue,
Maguire, Williams, Matheson, Scholes. (11)
? Garage housing Fire Engine demolished to provide
space for new shop.
8/11/1953 Fire at Whatling’s Invergarry. Call 2-05am. Distance 9
miles. Hut destroyed. Camp Brigade had two lines working from hydrants and fire
subdued by time we arrived.
Jan 4–9 1954 Drills for new men D Maurus, D Francis, Br Peter, Br
Ignatious.
Abbot Oswald gave opportunity to members of Fire
Brigade to retire – all did.
Nov. 1960 After earlier discussion with Firemaster J. D. McNicol,
members of reconstituted fire unit were taken by staff cars to H.Q. Inverness
for drill etc.
Frs Andrew, Maurus & Vincent. Brs John, Ignatious, Witfind & T. Aitcheson. Fr
Maurus Whitehead in charge.
27/5/1963 New Tender arrived. JST312. 200 Gall Tank. New pump
self-starter.
27/11/1966 8-0 pm. Smell of burning at Abbey domestic telephone
exchange reported. After considerable searching of areas adjacent to back stairs
a smouldering mop & sweeping brush were located in the cleaner’s cubby hole next
to the boy’s dormitory lavatory. Lino & underfelt were burned. Remnant of
cigarette end found on mop.
3/3/1967 7-25 pm. Fire Richmond House F.A. Garage and store shed
burning. 1st aid reel and hydrants with dividing breech used then
Foam Extinguisher on car. Damage considerable. Buildings destroyed but standing.
Contents and one car destroyed – another car damaged.
27/11/1967 Fire Appliance to HQ for new screen wipers, Trafficaters,
side mirror, paint touched up, greased. Land Rover left here temporarily. Fire
appliance returned in a few days.
27/7/1970 Mr R Marnie takes over as Officer in Charge of Brigade
from Fr Arthur Mc Killop?? O.S.B. Check made of stock.
11/8/1970 Training run. Tank filled at hydrant. Tr officer McRobb,
Marnie, Morris, Br John.
14/2/1975 Log not written up from 17th August 1970 to
hand over from the Forestry Commission back to the Abbey in February 1975. In
the meantime the Appliance had been based in a shed at the Forestry H.Q.
Auchterawe and the Fire officers were:-
1970 – 1973 Mr R Marnie
1973 – 1975 Mr H Morris
On 14 February the appliance returned to the Abbey Station and the Unit Officer appointed was Fr Vincent Pirie Watson.
UNIT STRENGTH 1975
531 Fr Vincent Pirie
Watson (1960) Station Officer
270 Br John Condon
(1946) Control
922 Mr Hugh Morris
(1968) 2 I/C Resigned Oct 1975
668 Br Benedict
Seed (1961)
1712 Mr Donald
Macleod (1973) Resigned
Oct 1976
1781 Mr Michael Hollingsworth
(1974) Resigned Oct 1976
1713 Mr Sandy Nicholson
(1974) Resigned Aug 1975
1433 Mr Ian MacKenzie (1973)
1846 Br Peter Brenning
(1975) Resigned June 1975
1845 Br Aelred Grugan
(1975)
1805 Mr Matthew Douglas (1975)
1804 Mr Michael Couper (1975)
Resigned May 1975
1844 Mr Jimmy Ross
(1975)
1847 Mr Wilson Girvan (1975)
1714 Mr Colin
Palmer (1974)
Resigned May 1976
6/3/1975 Shed
fire at Burn Cottage Dunoich. Hose reel and hydrant required. Drumnadrochit
Volunteer Unit and Inverness both assisted. Shed gutted but house attached
undamaged.
12/8/1975 19-00hrs Forest fire on Dell Estate, Whitebridge, caused
by a fire bolt during a thunderstorm. Monks at Vespers, so siren was not used.
Hugh Morris and 4 men manned the appliance with Fr Vincent and Br Aelred
following on in L/R. Fire under control by forest workers. Inverness sent two
appliances. As the weather had been very dry, Ft Augustus stayed on to ensure
the fire would not break out again. 1 Acre destroyed of young timber. Returned
at 22-30 hrs. Eight attended.
14/8/1975 19-20hrs Car accident at Ceanncroe, Glenmoriston Minor
head on collision between a Highland bus and Fiat driven by French family
(Rabbi, wife & 3 children). 1 passenger only hurt with minor injuries. The
midges were fierce. Fire Brigade services not really required on this occasion.
Returned by 21-20 hrs. Four attended.
11/12/1975 SOCIAL 1975
The Unit held it’s first Social in the Cocktail Bar of the Royal British Legion
Club on the evening of Thursday 11 December 1975 from 7pm o’clock. Twenty Five
attended amongst whom were the following guests :-
Mr Eric MacIntyre (Firemaster) and Mrs MacIntyre
Dr and Mrs Buchanan
Sgt and Mrs Nicholson
Mr and Mrs H B Grant
Mr and Mrs Hugh Morris
A Buffet with wines was provided, and many of the wives also baked for the
occasion. A very pleasant evening was had by all. The total cost (£13.37) was
met from individual subscription of one training session’s allowances.
The Abbey
Fort Augustus
Inverness-shire.
12 May, 1976.
From: Fr. Vincent
The Secretary of State has been pleased to award the Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to Br. John Condon with the following citation:-
In recognition of the most valuable service which you have rendered to the Northern Fire Brigade and the community at large in respect of your fire service activities over the past thirty years as a Volunteer, the Secretary of State for Scotland decrees that you be awarded the Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and ribbon on the first day of May 1976.
This is a signal honour to the Unit, and
we all join in congratulating Br. John on this achievement. I am told by the
Firemaster that awards other than for bravery are not normally made to Volunteer
Firemen, and so we might also call this exceptional - even unique.
The formal presentation of the Medal will be made at a later suitable date, and
all members will be informed well in advance so that we can all be present on
the occasion. No doubt it will call for a celebration too.
No further comment required.
8/6/19676 21-55hrs
Call out to Abercalder Station. building well alight on arrival. No casualties
and hose reel quite useless against the wholly timber structure. No open water
near (Canal over ½ mile away) and no hope of saving anything. Building owned by
Miss Ellice and rented to Mr Thomas Fraser. Fire started in greenhouse at West
end and spread rapidly along the length of the building. Ft Wm arrived at 22-40
and Inverness at 23-00 hrs. Four appliances altogether. Returned at 23-45 hrs.
it is believed the fire started with a faulty gas heater in the greenhouse.
20/10/1976 Took receipt of the new Bedford Fire Appliance KST641P
and said goodbye to JST312 which had served the village faithfully since 1963.
The transfer of Car Accident equipment went smoothly, and all equipment fitted
neatly into the new appliance.
7/12/1976 SOCIAL 1976
The Unit once again held it’s Annual Social in the upstairs Cocktail Bar of the
Royal British Legion commencing at 7 o’clock. Guests included :-
Mr and Mrs W Shand
Mr and Mrs H B Grant
Mr and Mrs Nicholson
Mr and Mrs N MacLennan
Br John Condon was invested with his Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct
Medal and a photograph was taken which appeared on the front page of the Press
and Journal two days later. The Buffet Supper was provided by the wives and
everyone (24 in all) enjoyed an excellent evening. The cost of the occasion was
borne by the contributions of the members of the Unit (£16.30).
22/12/1976 The Unit was issued with it’s Radio Call Sign “ALPHA
THIRTEEN” and is now in radio communication on the Northern Fire Brigade Net.
1/4/1977 15-35 returning from North Laggan incident (RTA),
Police car re-directed Fire Appliance to house fire in Upper Glendoe Cottage.
Arrived at 15-47 hrs to find lean to shed in rear of house fully alight and
overhanging eves burning. House was locked and no one was around. Immediately
hose reel attention to burning eves while ALCON pump and eight lengths of hose
were deployed from Glendoe burn some 400+ m down hill. House searched and found
empty. Water from open water source reached appliance within 8 minutes and used
to cool roof timbers. 16-15hrs Inverness arrived with two tenders and took over
pumping from Glendoe burn. S.O. Gordon took command and house saved with minor
fire damage eves and loss of lean to shed. Little water damage inside. Returned
18-45hrs. Five attended.
18/4/1977 22-05hrs Call out to grass fire along canal side 1 mile
west of Fort Augustus between canal and River Oich. Six acres scorched. Beaters
only used. Fire under control within five minutes. No assistance required.
Returned 22-38. Five attended. Radio Link with HQ worked perfectly for the first
time!!
2/10/1977 19-00hrs Call out to Inverness Road beyond Invermoriston
to road accident. Range Rover slewed off the road and down the embankment. Dr.
Eddie Buchanan trapped and had to be cut out via the roof. Used chisel and saw.
Multiple leg injuries etc. tended by 3 passing Doctors. Ambulance present and
Inverness arrived to assist. Vehicle a write off. Returned 21-00hrs. Three
attended.
We record with great sorrow the subsequent death owing to injuries of our
Doctor.
Dr. Buchanan was instrumental in obtaining Accident Equipment for the Fort
Augustus Volunteers owing to the increasing incidence of car accidents on A82.
The training in use of this equipment, its continued upgrading and improvement
was one of his greatest concerns. It is a double tragedy that he should be a
victim of his own incentives.
The Volunteers will always hold him as an inspiration and ideal in their service
to the Community. His self-less devotion was apparent in all the horrors of car
accidents which we have shared with him. Without his gentle and calming
presence, his knowledge and his skill, the tasks ahead will be all the heavier
to bear. May he rest in peace.
A Highland doctor died in
hospital from his injuries yesterday after a crash while on his way to tend the
injured in an earlier road accident beside Loch Ness.
Dr. Edward Buchanan left his home at Cedar Gates, Fort Augustus, on Sunday
evening in his white Range Rover, which was specially equipped to assist at the
scene of serious accidents. He had been called out to an accident on the A82
between Drumnadrochit and Invermoriston, where four people had been injured in a
two car collision.
About a mile north of Invermoriston, Dr. Buchanan’s vehicle was involved in a
collision with a stationary car where the driver was changing a nearside wheel.
A fire brigade crew from Inverness had to free the doctor before he could be
removed to Raigmore Hospital at Inverness.
Last night the Chief Constable of the Northern Constabulary, Mr. Donald
Henderson, paid tribute to the service of Dr. Buchanan.
He said: “We are very much aware of the constant help and support we get from
doctors who turn out at all times of day and night.”
Dr. Buchanan in his early forties, leaves a wife and three children.
(Newspaper cutting)
13/11/1977 11-55hrs. Call out to Abertarff House, Fort Augustus. Steam from over flowing hot water tank gave rise to alarm. No fire hazard. Cleaned up and advised Mrs MacKenzie that an efficient plumber should fix thermostat. No equipment used save buckets and mop. Returned 17-00hrs. Four attended.
FIREMEN’s STRIKE
The Nation was faced with a total withdrawal of labour by the Firemen in late
November. Although the strike in no way affected the Volunteer Firemen, it did
bring to the attention of the Government and Public alike the essential job the
Service does throughout the Country.
8/12/1977 SOCIAL
1977
The Unit members enjoyed an excellent social in the Royal British Legion
Cocktail Bar. The company numbered twenty two and included representatives of
the Fire service, Police and Ambulance Services.
These Guests were: Divisional Commander Donald MacMillan & Mrs
MacMillan.
Sgt Donald Nicholson & Mrs Nicholson.
Mr Matthew Douglas & Mrs Douglas.
Marvellous eats were provided by the ladies under the direction of Mrs Ross.
The cost (£22) was bourne by contributions from the members of the Unit.
Totals for 1977
Car accident and Road Traffic Accident 9
House
Fires 4
Heath and Gras
Fires 3
False Alarms and Hoaxs
1
Total 17
Strength on 1st January 1978
Fr Vincent Pirie
Watson Station Officer
Fr Benedict
Seed 2 I/C
Br John
Condon Control
Mr Ian MacKenzie
Br Aelred Grugan
Mr Jimmy Ross
Mr Wilson Girvan
Mr Brian Clark
Mr Johnny McDonald
Br Giles Connachie
Mr Peter Upstone
The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award candidates joined the Unit and attended practices and some call-outs, D. Cardiff: J Stephenson: V Gram-Hanson.
14/12/1978 SOCIAL
1978
Including guests, nineteen enjoyed a relaxing evening in the Royal British
Legion Cocktail Bar with excellent eats provided by the wives under the
direction of Mrs Jimmy Ross. The guests present were :
A.D.O. Donnie MacLennan and Mrs
MacLennan
Dr Willie MacRae and Mrs MacRae
Mr Matthew Douglas and Mrs
Douglas
Sgt Donald Nicholson and Mrs
Nicholson
Mr and Mrs Ross of the Scottish Ambulance Service, Inverness, were unable to
attend.
The total cost ( ) was borne by contributions from the Volunteers.
Totals for 1978
Car accidents and Road Traffic Accidents 5
House
Fires
4
Forest, heath and grass
fires 4
Total 13
Strength on 1st January 1979
Fr Vincent Pirie
Watson Station Officer
Fr Benedict
Seed Leading Fireman & 2 I/C
Br John
Condon Control
Br Aelred Grugan
Mr Brian Clark
Mr Jimmy Ross
Mr Johnny MasDonald
Mr Wilson Girvan
Br Giles Connachie
Mr Peter Upstone
9/2/1979 Call
Out at 13-00hrs by John MacDonald to a chimney fire at the Canal house occupied
by Mr Angus McAskill. The hosereel was used, although it a required a repair
when a joint under the engine came apart. John MacDonald rapidly effected this
repair. The chimney was extinguished and cleaned: the pot broke away. Returned
to station at 14-45. Two attended.
18/3/1979 Call out at 08-05hrs to cottage at Ceannocroc,
Glenmoriston. Arrived 08-40 and tackled roof fire with hose reel while Alcon
pump was set up in nearby stream. Fire had a good hold and was difficult to
locate. Attempted to cool roof and save rear annex. Inverness arrived and by
making openings in the roof space dampened the blaze. Press and Journal report
inaccurate as only roof and two upper rooms destroyed.
It took two hours to control the blaze and a further two hours to clear the
debris and salvage furnishings. Our pumps supplied all water used and the Unit
did well to contain and save the greater part of the house. Fire started by hot
ashes in plastic bucket under stair well. Returned 1-15pm. Five attended.
Martin and Margaret Girvan would like to thank all those who assisted at their recent fire and showed such kindness afterwards. (Inverness Courier, Friday, 30th March, 1979.)
2/5/1979 Charles Coist and Alan Anderson joined Unit.
6/12/1979 SOCIAL
1979
Twenty Four were present at the 1979 Social and a pleasant evening was spent by
all. We were particularly pleased the Firemaster was able to come. Owing to the
generosity of Mr and Mrs Martin Girvan whose house fire we had attended in
March, the cost to the Unit was Nil. The Royal British Legion again loaned us
the Cocktail Bar for the evening.
The Guests were:
Mr and Mrs William Shand
Mr and Mrs Willie Macrae
Mr and Mrs Matthew Douglas
8/12/1979 Br John Condon retired from the Unit after 33 years service, he welcomed Mr John Martin to the Unit strength.
Totals for 1979
Road
accidents 2
House and Chimney
Fires 7
Forest and
Heath Nil
Total 9
This records the quietest year for the unit yet. There were also six training evenings during 1979 at which the average attendance was eight. The morale of the Unit is high and a number of village men have asked to join when a vacancy occurs.
1/1/1980 Unit
Strength
S.O Vincent Pirie
Watson (I/C)
L/Fm Benedict
Seed (2 I/C)
Fm Jimmy Ross
Fm Aelred Grugan
Fm Wilson Girvan
Fm Brian Clark
Fm Johnny MacDonald
Fm Peter Upstone
Fm Charles Coist
Fm Alan Anderson
Fm John Martin
12/3/1980 Mr Jimmy Ross resigned from the Unit following his departure from Fort Augustus to reside in Inverness. He joined the Unit in 1975 and was a very useful and popular member.
11/12/1980 Annual
Social
Held as usual in Royal British Legion. Attendance down on previous years owing
to other commitments but special guests were:
Mr and Mrs Wrightman (Fire
Services)
Mr and Mrs Douglas
Mr and Mrs Jimmy Ross
Excellent Buffet Supper by Mrs Christine Upstone. Wines totalled £13 paid by
subscription.
Totals for 1980
House
Fires
5
Road
Accidents 2
Heath and
Forest 1
Chimney 6
Total 14
1/1/1981 Unit
Strength
S.O. Fr Vincent Pirie
Watson (I/C)
L/Fm Benedict
Seed (2 I/C)
Fm Aelred Grugan
Fm Wilson Girvan
Fm Brian Clark
Fm Johnny MacDonald
Fm Peter Upstone
Fm Charles Coist
Fm Alan Anderson
Fm John Martin
21/5/1981 17-55 Call out to Aberchalder Lodge. West gable well alight on arrival. Used hose reel and drew water by Alcon from burn 100’ below the house. Able to clear much furniture out of the building as unable to control the blaze spreading along the roof space. Inverness arrived at 18-40 and raised more water. Fort William also on scene. Major attempt to stem roof fire spreading to lower floors was hampered by hot cinders falling down wall space and fire was breaking out all over the place. By 19-30hrs almost under control when ceiling of 1st floor crashed down and trapped Inverness fireman under beams, slates and wet plaster and cinder. Despite efforts to release him, he was dead when eventually removed from the room. Meanwhile fire had taken a fresh grip and by 22-00hrs was brought finally under control but the house was virtually a write off. Returned 23-00hrs exhausted. 9 attended. The “boys” had done a marvellous job under difficult conditions and won justifiable praise for their efforts. Certainly the worst fire since Ceannacroc Lodge in 1949.
LODGE FIRE CLAIMS LIFE
Inverness fireman killed at Invergarry
By JIM LOVE
<PHOTO> Kathy MacKenzie and
Jenny Cooper who fought the fire until firemen arrived.
<PHOTO> A pillar of smoke rises from the centre of the fire hit Aberchalder
Lodge.
<PHOTO> Firemen tackle the blaze which claimed the life of one of their
colleagues.
An Inverness fireman died last night after flames swept through an isolated
Highland guest house.
The dead man was one of four crews called to the blaze at Aberchalder Lodge,
four miles from Invergarry.
Last night, as the Northern Area Firemaster, Mr William Shand, supervised the
operation at Aberchalder, his deputy, Mr Donald Grant, confirmed that one of the
Inverness based fireman had been killed. Police and fire officers had gone to
inform relatives, he said, and the identity of the dead man would be released
later.
The outbreak was discovered by 22 year old housemaid, Jenny Cooper, as she was
hanging out washing behind the 19th century mansion owned by Mr
Russell Ellice and run by his daughter, Miss Jean Ellice.
“I saw smoke coming from the roof and ran and found Kathy MacKenzie, a daily
help,” Miss Cooper said. “We raced up the stairs and found the rooms were full
of smoke. We shouted for help and two local men, Donnie Johnstone and Donnie
MacDonald, who were working in the grounds came to see what was happening.
“One of them ran to phone the fire brigade and the rest of us broke open the
lodge’s fire extinguishers and tried to put out the flames.
“We were still trying to put out the blaze when the police and firemen arrived.”
Miss Ellice is on holiday and the only guests in the lodge, Mr and Mrs J.
Sheldon, a middle aged couple from 12 Cheviot Road, Paisley, were not in the
building when the fire broke out. They arrived to find the two storey building
ablaze and were found alternative accommodation at the nearby Glengarry Castle
Hotel. They have lost their belongings and last night were too upset to talk
about the fire.
In Miss Ellice’s absence the lodge was being looked after by a caretaker, Mr
James Henderson, and his wife. They were at Inverness for the day and arrived
back at Aberchalder to find the house in flames.
Police were first on the scene and they helped the two employees to fight the
flames until Fort Augustus firemen arrived. Two units from Inverness and another
from Fort William were sent to assist.
Estate workers managed to rescue most of the most valuable furnishings in the
lodge.
Mrs Isobel Service, wife of the estate gamekeeper, said: “We managed to clear
the drawing room where the majority of the most valuable paintings, china and
furniture were located.”
(The Press and Journal, Friday May 22 1981. Front Page.)
DEAD FIREMAN NAMED
The dead fireman was later named as Mr. Roderick MacLeod
(25), 51 Druid Road, Inverness. He was married with no children and had four
years’ service with Northern Brigade.
Mr. Grant said Mr MacLeod and Station Officer Donald Craig had been inside the
building when the floor above them collapsed on top of them, Mr. Craig was
unhurt.
Two hours later firemen succeeded in getting the blaze under control. The lodge
had been burning for more than five hours.
Fireman MacLeod is only North fireman to have died inside blazing building as
far as Mr. Shand can recall.
A Lewis man Mr Macleod formally served in the Merchant Navy.
Mr Shand said the building was well alight by the time the first firemen – from
Fort Augustus – arrived. “The flames had tremendous hold and were coming through
the roof.”
Northern Area Fire Service Headquarters received alarm call at 5.40 – 20 minutes
before Mr. MacLeod and his colleagues were due to go off shift.
(Newspaper cutting)
Joist that killed fireman was weak, inquiry told
<PHOTO> Inverness fireman Mr Roderick MacLeod, who died in a blaze at Aberchalder Lodge, Invergarry, pictured in action at a fire.
A Young Inverness fireman was killed when a ceiling with
an unusually weak joist structure crashed on top of him during a blaze, a fatal
accident inquiry heard yesterday.
Fireman Roderick Macleod (25), 51 Druid Road, Inverness, was trapped face down
by a heavy beam under a pile of rubble during the blaze at an Inverness-shire
guest house.
Mr Macleod had been one of a Northern Fire Brigade team sent to tackle the fire
at Aberchalder Lodge, Invergarry, on May 21.
The inquiry at Inverness Sheriff Court heard that the fire, which began in an
upstairs bedroom, was discovered by staff at about 5-30 p.m. It was initially
tackled by volunteer firemen from Fort Augustus who were later aided by units
from Fort William and Inverness.
Station Officer Donald Craig (38), Inverness, said that at about 8 p.m. the fire
was under control and they were carrying out damping down operations. He and Mr
Macleod went into the ground floor living room where there was a slight flare up
in a corner.
Station Officer Craig said: “we were just inside the door – far enough to get at
the flames with a hose. Fireman Macleod was holding the hose and he was standing
further in than I was.
“We were there for about a half minute. Then there was just this tremendous bang
and a loud crash. I got a rap on the small of my back and I fell face outwards
into the hallway. From below my knees, I was inside the door and under debris
and I could feel hot embers in my hair. I managed to push myself into the hall.”
He said that firemen dug into the room with their bare hands and then shovels to
get Mr Macleod. He was found under beams which were too heavy to lift and
hydraulic jacks had to be used.
Station Officer Craig said that generally the safest place to fight a fire in a
room was from the door, and a ceiling normally collapsed in the middle or at the
outside wall. At the time they entered the room there was no sign of danger.
He recalled that most of the beams which fell had been unaffected by fire.
Part time Fort Augustus Station Officer Father Angus Watson said he was in the
room when Mr Macleod was found. He felt for a pulse but could not find one.
GP for the area Dr William Macrae unsuccessfully battled for 10 minutes to
revive Mr Macleod. The cause of death was later found to be asphyxia as the
result of an accident.
Retired divisional commander with the fire brigade at Inverness Mr John Howie
was in charge at the scene.
A few minutes before he had been in the living room and found it intact. He said
normal practice was to fight a room fire from the doorway, which was the safest
area.
Hr Howie said he later discovered a trim joist structure above the doorway of
the room, which is weaker than the usual building method.
This type of joist is a beam that is checked into a crossbeam rather than
resting on a wall as normal. A trim joist was usually found only where there was
a fireplace or obstruction. He was surprised to find it at such a point in a
house which was about 100 years old.
Mr Howie thought a joist in the corner being burned through had caused a shock,
which then caused the trim joist to collapse because it was the weakest area.
He felt that if there had been a normal joist at the doorway the ceiling would
have collapsed at the centre leaving the firemen in a safe position.
Forensic expert Dr William Gibb, Glasgow, carried out an investigation later at
the scene. He said the most likely cause of the blaze was an electrical fault
under the flooring of the bedroom which was directly above the living room.
He said the insulation on the cable seemed to have failed and the short ignited
combustible material under the floor. The fire could have been going for about
two hours before it was discovered.
Sheriff William Fulton returned a formal finding but added: “It is quite clear
that the fire fighting operations were carried out swiftly and efficiently with
due regard to the safety of those involved.
“But it was particularly unfortunate that Mr Macleod should have been trapped
and killed by an accident which was entirely unexpected given the circumstances
and the structure of the building.”
<3 PHOTOS> Donald Craig, Father Watson and John Howie. (heads only)
(Pages 1 and 2 of a newspaper cutting).
28/7/1981 Two new
firemen recruited:
Mr Andy Brady (Canal and Self Employed)
Mr Jim Pinkerton (Joiner Self Employed)
4/11/1981 17-00hrs
Call out to Forgyle Inn?? where caravan roof on fire from chimney stack. No
equipment used as fire doused with garden jet. Inverness arrived. Again mix up
on call out. Phone call to Control hopefully clarified call out number as 6233
and 6541 (Kitchens) if no answer. 6 attended. Returned 18-45hrs.
18/11/1981 17-55hrs Call out to Mrs Urquhart, The Laurels, for
straight chimney fire. Kettle of water sufficed to cool off chimney. 4 attended.
Returned 18-25hrs.
12/12/1981 07-35hrs Call out to Old Farm House, Invermoriston.
Snowing and road conditions very bad. East wing well alight on arrival with no
hope of saving it. Pumped water by Alcon from the loch and contained fire to
the one area. Presumed started from log burned in downstairs lounge. 2 dogs
suffocated. Inverness attended. Returned at 10-30hrs. 5 attended.
Annual Social
Held in Inchnacardoch Hotel on Thursday 3rd
December. A good company including Firemaster and Mrs Shand sat down to
excellent buffet supper with disco dance to follow. All very much enjoyed thanks
to Mr and Mrs Anderson, our hosts.
Total for 1981
House 3
Road
Accidents 2
Heath and
Forest 3
Chimney 3
Others 2
Total 13
1982 Unit Strength
Fr Vincent Pirie
Watson S.O. O I/C
Fr Benedict
Seed L/Fm 2 I/C
Fr Aelred Grugan Resigned
30/3/1982
Wilson Girvan
Brian Clark
John MacDonald
Peter Upstone
Charles Coist Resigned
30/8/1982
Alan
Anderson
Resigned 30/1/1982
John Martin
Jim Pinkerton
Andy Brady
Alistair
MacKinnon
Joined May 1982
1/1/1982 17-45hrs Call out to Porhum Farm?? Where a chimney fire in the morning caused an outbreak in floor adjoining the chimney breast at first floor level. Used hose reel and axes to clear away burnt area. Mortar in wall perished over the years. Returned at 18-45. 7 attended.
17th March, 1982
Dear Father Vincent,
It is with great pleasure that I formally notify you that you have been awarded the Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
This medal is awarded as a mark of Her Majesty’s appreciation of long and meritorious service rendered by members of the Fire Brigade.
The medal has now come to hand and will be presented to you by Major Donald Fraser, Chairman of the Northern Fire Board at the Fire Board meeting to be held in the Highland Regional Council Headquarters on Thursday, 25th March, 1982. Could you arrange to be at Fire Brigade Headquarters at 2.15 p.m. on that date when arrangements will be made to take you to the Board meeting.
All of us at Fire Brigade Headquarters are aware of the valuable service you have given to the Northern Fire Brigade and they join me in offering you our warmest congratulations.
Yours sincerely,
William Shand
FIREMASTER
A Monk and two firewomen
received awards from Northern Fire Brigade at Inverness yesterday.
Northern Fire Board chairman Councillor Donald Fraser, Nairn, handed over long
service and good conduct medals to Father Vincent Pirie-Watson, and fire control
operators Elizabeth McCulloch and Hester Macdonald.
Edinburgh born Father Vincent is a monk at Fort Augustus Abbey and is also in
charge of the local volunteer fire force. He joined the brigade in 1957 and 12
years ago became officer in charge of the 12 strong Fort Augustus volunteer
force which includes four other monks.
Inverness born Miss McCulloch, 98 Hawthorn Drive, worked as a clerkess before
becoming a firewoman in 1961. She is an operator in the control room at
headquarters.
Miss Macdonald, 33 Kintall Crescent, has also been with the brigade since 1961
and is also a control room officer. She comes from Inverness and served as a
WREN from 1942 – 45. She was a clerkess becoming a firewoman.
In the picture, Father Vincent receives his award from Mr Fraser watched by Miss
McCulloch (left), Miss Macdonald, Firemaster William Shand (extreme left) and
Deputy Firemaster Donnie Grant.
(From a newspaper cutting in the Log dated March 1982.)
(As can be seen from the LOG Father Vincent became OIC in 1975, the above
article would have put him in charge from 1970.)
18/9/1982 12-35hrs Call to Bank of Scotland for possible petrol bomb. Identified by Police as motorcyclists spare fuel bottle. No action taken. Returned 13-45hrs.
1/1/1983
Fr Vincent Pirie
Watson S. Officer
1960
Fr Benedict
Seed L. Fm
1961
Mr Wilson
Girvan
1975
Mr Brian
Clark
1976
Mr John
MacDonald
1976
Mr Peter Upstone
1977
Mr John
Martin
1979
Mr Jim
Pinkerton
1981
Mr Andy
Brady
1981
Mr Alistair
MacKinnon
1982
Appliance: KST641P
22/8/1984 Received Bedford Appliance, A861OAS. It carries 100 gall of water, has roof ladder, radio (since 1976), Alcon portable pump as well as the equipment we had in KST641P with us since 1975 and departing now with only 7,000 miles on the clock and in good condition. The new appliance has 1369 miles. Main pump engine is separate from vehicle engine unlike KST641P.
Crew 1984
Fr Vincent Pirie
Watson S. Officer
1960
Fr Benedict
Seed L. Fm
1961
Mr Wilson
Girvan
1975
Mr Brian
Clark 1976
Mr John
MacDonald
1976
Mr Peter Upstone
1977
Mr John
Martin
1979
Mr Jim
Pinkerton
1981
Mr Andy
Brady
1981
Mr Alistair
MacKinnon
1982
J
Paterson
1984
6 call outs from 22/8/1984 to 31/12/1984: 5 fires, 1 car accident. (details in vehicle log book)
Speedometer 1522 miles.
1/1/1985 Crew:
Fr Benedict
Seed Sub Officer
1961
Mr John
MacDonald Leading Fireman
1976
Mr Wilson
Girvan
1975
Mr Brian
Clark
1976 Resigned August 1985
Mr Peter Upstone
1977
Mr John
Martin 1979
Mr Jim
Pinkerton 1981
Mr Andy
Brady 1981
Mr Alistair
MacKinnon
1982
Mr James
Paterson
1984
11 Call outs: 10 fires, 1 flooding.
Speedometer 1838 miles.
1/1/1986 Crew:
Fr Benedict
Seed Sub Officer
1961
Mr John
MacDonald Leading Fireman
1976
Mr Wilson
Girvan
1975
Mr Peter Upstone
1977
Mr John
Martin 1979
Mr Jim
Pinkerton 1981
Mr Andy
Brady 1981
Resigned July 1986
Mr Alistair
MacKinnon
1982
Mr James
Paterson
1984
Mr Chris
Stephenson
21/2/1986
Mr Les
Webster
20/10/1986
13 Call outs: 11 fires, 1 car accident, 1 petrol spill.
Speedometer 2215 miles.
1/1/1987 Crew:
Fr Benedict
Seed Sub Officer
1961
Mr John
MacDonald Leading Fireman
1976
Mr Wilson
Girvan
1975
Mr Peter Upstone 1977
Mr John
Martin 1979
Mr Jim
Pinkerton
1981
Mr Alistair
MacKinnon
1982
Mr James
Paterson
1984
Mr Chris
Stephenson
21/2/1986
Mr Les
Webster 20/10/1986
17 Call outs: 16 fires, 1 car accident.
Speedometer 2496 miles.
1/1/1988 Crew:
Fr Benedict
Seed Sub Officer
1961
Mr John
MacDonald Leading Fireman
1976
Mr Wilson
Girvan 1975
Mr Peter Upstone
1977
Mr John
Martin 1979
Mr Jim
Pinkerton
1981
Mr Alistair
MacKinnon
1982
Mr James
Paterson
1984
Mr Chris
Stephenson
21/2/1986
Mr Les
Webster
20/10/1986
Mr D
MacKinnon
31/10/1988
18 Call outs: 12 fires, 5 R.T. Accident, 1 petrol spillage.
Speedometer 2784 miles.
1/1/1989 Crew:
Fr Benedict
Seed Sub Officer
1961 Res 6/10/1989
Mr John
MacDonald Leading Fireman
1976
Mr Wilson
Girvan 1975
Mr Peter Upstone
1977
Mr John
Martin 1979
Mr Jim
Pinkerton 1981
Mr Alistair
MacKinnon
1982
Mr James
Paterson
1984
Mr Chris
Stephenson
1986
Mr Les
Webster
1986
Mr D
MacKinnon 1988
Appliance A861OAS.
The above are some entries (not the complete Log) from the General Log and it wasn’t always easy to read the writing so there may be spelling mistakes where I have deciphered it wrongly. If you see any spelling mistakes in names or places etc., please let me know.
SFRS NORTH SDA STATIONS FORT AUGUSTUS PAGE