Glasgow archives tell story of city fire brigade's first 100 years

The commissioners proceeded to organise the department very efficiently. A special superintendent of fire engines was appointed in 1809 and his first job was to have all the engines and equipment “put into proper repair.”

The Police Board acquired six manual engines in the city, with about 1000 feet of "sewn leather hose, riveting not being known in Glasgow at the time.”

Govan Fire Brigade (Image: Glasgow City Archives)

These first engines could not be used to carry men, who had in almost all cases to draw the engines to the scene of the fire.

The engines were stationed across the city, at the meat market and potato market on King Street; at the north end of Wynd Church, between the new and back wynds, south side of Trongate; at Hutcheson’s Hospital; and at the Gallowgate bridge.

Initially all the water used at fires had to be carried from a well or the rivers. In 1809 fire-cocks were placed on the streets. By 1900 these were on the footpaths.

In 1862 several fire stations were put in direct telegraphic communication with the central police station, and then with various district police stations. No matter where in the city a fire broke out, this could be immediately communicated to several of the fire stations.

Central Fire Brigade (Image: Glasgow City Archives)

Each engine and carriage could be harnessed and out on the open street and upon its way to the fire within two minutes from the time the alert reached the station.

In 1870, Glasgow’s  first steam engine was attached to the central station. This threw more water than all the other five manual engines put together.

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At all times eight horses were stabled at the premises , and two drivers slept in apartments above the stable.

Bells were used to communicate directly with the residences of the eight men on duty when the alarm reached the station. These men came quickly on the scene. A drum was beaten at the station door if the whole force of 30 was required.

Before 1878, the firemen were part-time, engaged in other occupations as well as their fire-fighting duties, but that year, they became full-time and permanent.

Each lived in a property of the Police Board, or in a house rented for him near to his fire station. He was always on call.

The Glasgow Salvage Corps worked alongside the Fire Brigade. It was founded in 1873 by local fire insurance companies, partly because of the inadequacies of the municipal fire service.

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It was supervised by the Glasgow Fire Insurance Committee, which became the Glasgow Rate and Salvage Committee in 1876 and the Glasgow Rate and Salvage Association in 1892.

The Glasgow Salvage Corps originally consisted of seven men and two horses and attended fires in conjunction with the Fire Brigade, or on its own. The association, meanwhile, surveyed local buildings and advised on fire prevention.

The Salvage Corps' first headquarters were in Nicholas Street and the organisation initially consisted of one superintendent, one foreman, one deputy, five men and one horse-drawn trap.

In November 1891, the corps introduced a new system of inspection.

An inspector would examine premises for fire hazards and if his instructions for the removal of a hazard were not addressed after three written warnings, then the insurance premium would be increased.

In 1891 and 1912 Glasgow annexed a number of local burghs, some of which had their own fire brigades. This included Govan and Partick, both annexed in 1912.

Govan was responsible for the provision of a range of services, including a fire brigade.

Govan’s original town hall was in Albert Street. When council officials and staff were relocated to the new Govan town hall in Summertown Road in 1899, the Albert Street building became the headquarters of the burgh's fire and police services.

Partick Burgh established a fire brigade in the 1870s, initially in what is now Gillane Street. By 1912 the fire station was relocated to Hozier Street. By then, it had a fire master, a deputy fire master and 10 firemen.