Station Officer James Mathieson collapsed and died while fighting a fire at Deanston Drive, Glasgow on Saturday 20th March, 1971.
Fireman collapses and dies
A fireman collapsed and died when fighting a fire in Shawlands, Glasgow, early this morning.
Station Officer James Mathieson, aged about 48, had been called to 141 Deanston Drive, Shawlands, with two tenders from Pollok fire station.
He was leading his men up the stairs of the tenement to a fire in the top flat when he collapsed. Firemen with oxygen equipment attempted to revive him, but he was dead before the ambulance arrived.
It is believed he died of a heart attack.
Mr Mathieston was married with three of a family. His eldest son was to be married next week.
The fire was in a flat occupied by Mr Thomas Young, aged 22, his wife Nancy, aged 22, and their 18 month old baby daughter, Denise.
Mr Young said he smelt smoke and suddenly the settee next to him caught fire. He hurried his wife and child from the house, alerted neighbours, and then fought the blaze with pails of water while he awaited the firemen.
The blaze completely destroyed the flat and badly damaged the roof of the building. Seven families were temporarily evacuated from their homes.
(The Glasgow Herald, Saturday, March 20, 1971. Page 16.)