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.)

 

 

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