Fireman Andrews died on the 24th of November 1919, while attending a fire at Stannergate.
FIERCE FIRE AT DUNDEE HARBOUR
CAUSES NEARLY £30,000 DAMAGE
Tragic Death of a Gallant Fireman
A
disastrous fire causing damage which is estimated to amount to between £25,000
and £30,000 occurred last night in a large building within the precincts of the
Dundee Harbour.
The premises of Messrs Yeaman and Baggesen, engineers containing much valuable
machinery, were gutted.
But for the great efforts of the firemen, together with the fact that a strong
partition divided the building, the adjoining section, tenanted by the Tay Motor
Lorry and Charabanc Company, contractors, would have met the same fate.
The premises of these firms occupied the ground floor of the entire building,
while pattern shops belonging to the Caledon Shipbuilding and Engineering
Company, Ltd., also suffered extensive damage. That part of their pattern store
which was immediately above the engineering premises fell prey to the flames.
The other half above the motor garage was partially saved.
Unfortunately a tragic happening marked the fight of the firemen for supremacy
over the flames. Fireman Alexander Andrews, one of the permanent staff, died
suddenly while in the execution of his duty.
Discovery of the Fire
The scene of the fire was a brick building off East Camperdown Street running
north and south behind King George Wharf. The workers in
Messrs Yeaman and Baggesen’s establishment left off work for the night about
half past five o’clock, and it was close on two hours later when the outbreak
was first discovered.
The general quietness that reigns in that vicinity was suddenly broken. One of
the Corporation electricity employees, who was on duty at the sub station
adjoining the premises, was engaged in writing when he noticed tongues of flame
leaping from Messrs Yeaman and Baggesen’s office at the south west corner of the
building. No other person was in the neighbourhood, and the workman immediately
endeavoured to get in communication with the Fire Brigade by telephone.
A Rapid Advance
The flames however, had secured an extraordinary hold on the building in a very
short space of time and coming to the conclusion that the telephone wire had
been broken by the fire, he raced to the Caledon Shipyard, blowing a police
whistle as he ran. Ultimately the watchman at the yard was successful in
communicating with the Brigade, who lost no time in speeding to the scene of the
outbreak.
From the minute affair that it appeared to be at first, the fire had developed
into one great blaze. A westwardly wind was blowing and the flames swept across
the building with almost incredible rapidity. It seemed as if some unseen hand
had touched the whole of the engineering establishment with flame.
Petrol in Danger
This was the position that faced the firemen, under Captain Weir, when they
arrived. The engineering premises already seemed doomed to total destruction.
The other portion of the building was well alight on top. The flames were
greedily shooting across the roof. The Brigade set to work with their customary
will, and they recognised the urgent necessity of keeping the fire at least
within its present confines.
Petrol which amounted to no less than six hundred gallons was stored in the
motor premises. Therein lay the gravest danger. A body of helpers, however,
assisted in removing half of the petrol in barrels from the place, while it was
safely assumed that other three hundred gallons which were in a tank underground
would not be exposed to risk, there being a thick clay covering over the tank.
Roof Collapses
About three quarters of an hour after the start of the fire the supports to the
southern portion of the roof were eaten away by the all devouring flames, and
the roof crashed into the open furnace beneath. A little later a section of the
southern wall also collapsed and one could gauge the intensity of the fire. Beam
after beam red hot with the great heat came down, and soon all that remained of
the up to date and recently extended building were the skeleton walls round a
tremendous ball of fire.
The flames were still gripping tightly their hold of the adjoining roof, and
through the windows one could see that the firemen had a very stiff job keeping
them under control. The heat round the whole building was so intense that the
large crowd wondered at the tenacity of the firemen in holding their own under
such circumstances.
While the firemen were at work in the upper storey other helpers were engaged
clearing the ground floor of the motors, six of which belonged to the company,
while another was the property of Messrs Melville, Dunn and Co., timber
merchants, whose sawmill is situated close at hand.
Lost its Intensity
Gradually it was noted that the fire had lost its intensity, that the Brigade
had it well in hand, and before ten o’clock the great red reflection in the sky was dying away.
Although much damage was done to what
remained of the pattern shop, the flames had been beaten back bit by bit. The
outjutting erection to the east of the building belonging to the Caledon
Shipbuilding Co., containing several small boats was also touched by the flames,
and it had been considered advisable to remove two of the boats to a place of
safety.
The red glare in the sky attracted much attention in neighbouring towns and
burghs. The illumination was observed miles away. It was particularly noticeable
shortly after eight o’clock, when the blaze was at its fiercest.
The damage is covered by insurance and the expert manner in which the firemen
tackled the outbreak was worthy of all praise.
A Fine Military Record
The tragic death of Fireman Andrews created a feeling of profound sorrow amongst
the members of the Fire Brigade. While working a branch line of hose he suddenly
took ill and fell backwards. Fireman T. Johnson, who was close beside him
immediately rendered assistance, but although the ambulance van was summoned
with a view to having him removed to the Royal Infirmary Fireman Andrews, who
was in his 53rd year, expired within a few minutes. Deceased was an ex soldier
with a very notable record of military service.
The son of a soldier, Fireman Andrews served for twelve years in the Scots
Guards and took part in the South African War with that regiment. When war broke
out in August 1914 deceased, although he was about 48 years of age then,
immediately volunteered for service and was accepted. He was on active service
with the Scots Guards for a considerable time.
Fireman Andrews held the South African medals and the 1914 Star. He is survived
by a widow and a family. His elder son who is a sergeant in the Black Watch
(Fife and Forfar Yeomanry Batt.), recently left this country on his recovery
from wounds received in action to join the Hong Kong Police. Fireman Andrews had
been a member of the Brigade for fifteen months. A man of cherry presence and
sterling character, he was greatly esteemed by all who knew him.
(The Courier, Tuesday, November 25, 1919. Page 4.)
Death
Andrews.– At Dundee, on 24th instant, suddenly, Alexander Andrews,
fireman, Dundee City Fire Brigade, beloved husband of Margaret M’Intosh. Walking
public funeral from Central Fire Station W. Bell Street on Friday 28th
inst., at 3 p.m., to Eastern Cemetery. All friends
cordially invited.
(The Courier, Thursday, November 27, 1919. Page 8.)
DUNDEE FIREMAN’S FUNERAL
Large crowds witnessed the funeral with military honours of Fireman Alex.
Andrews, who died suddenly at the recent fire at Stannergate, from the Central
Fire Station to the Eastern Cemetery yesterday afternoon. The obsequies were
attended by many relatives and friends, brethren of Lodge Ancient of Freemasons,
firemen from the brigades belonging to the various public works, and eighteen
firemen from the Dundee Fire Brigade under Captain Weir. The Police Committee of
Dundee Town Council was represented by Convener M’Cabe, Bailies Allan and Smith,
and Messrs David Hynd, J. S. Brown, J. G. Fraser, and James Reid. The Rev. W. A.
Dunbar conducted a service in the engine room of the Central Fire Station.
Draped with the Union Jack, with deceased’s helmet, belt, hatchet, and boots on
top, the coffin was conveyed to the cemetery on the motor fire engine on which
deceased last served. Three firemen walked at each side of the engine, which was
preceded by the Dundee Police Band under Pipe Major Mitchell, while a firing
party of the Black Watch from Perth fired a volley over the grave, a bugler
sounding the “Last Post.”
(The Courier, Saturday, November 29, 1919. Page 6.)