Over 60 firemen in grim battle with flames

Huge crowds sea Aberdeen comb works ablaze

Despite a grim battle by over 60 firemen, half the buildings of Aberdeen Comb Works Ltd., Hutcheon Street, Aberdeen, were destroyed last night in an Inferno of flame. Huge crowds watched what was described as the most spectacular fire in Aberdeen for years.

As the fire reached its peak with flames shooting high into the air, some firemen continued an unseen battle at the rear of the works to stop heat and sparks reaching adjoining premises, including a garage in Causeway End, with 12,000 gallons of petrol stored; a tire company with £30,000 worth of tires in stock and a beef warehouse with meat stored in refrigerators.

Seven fire units rushed from two city fire stations – and four others were called from county stations – police sealed off streets in the area and diverted home going crowds.

Four ambulances were called in and took up standby positions ready for possible emergencies.

Minutes after the first fire units arrived, flames burst through the roof and spread rapidly across a 100 foot roof area.

TRAPPED

Three firemen who entered the building to check the extent of the blaze, were trapped by overhead flames. They were pulled to safety unharmed.

A shift of seven men were working when the outbreak began. One of these raised the alarm when he heard breaking glass and the crackle of flames. And another ran back into the blazing building with a fire extinguisher, but he was beaten by intense heat and smoke. There were no workforce casualties.

MEN SAFE

Director Mr Hugh Smith, as he watched Sparks and smoke billow into the air, said :

“What can I say just now… our men are safe and that’s the main thing.”

“I don’t know how the fire started, but it seems from present evidence to have been in the paint shop,” he added.

The blaze was visible from many parts of the city and thick smoke spiralled hundreds of feet into the air.

Hundreds of people gathered within minutes of the alarm being raised. But immediate neighbours knew nothing of the drama until they heard the klaxon of the first fire unit arriving.

“We heard thumping noises at first,” said one woman, “but thought it was nothing important. Then we heard that siren. It was just like the last big fire there. It’s terrifying to see.”

Mr Eric Thomson, sales manager at Ellis and McHardy’s Causewayend filling station, was driving home from his son’s BB open night when he saw the ominous glow in the sky.

Mr Thompson, 41 Hilton Street, said they had about 12,000 gallons of fuel stored underground.

“But I was relieved when a fire officer told me there was really no need to be concerned about it. There was no immediate danger.”

STRUGGLE

After 90 minutes of grim struggle – at about 11:15 p.m. – the worst was over. Firemaster John Donachie said then,

“It is under control.”

But at the rear of the building, firemen continued their intensive dousing of the building to stop flames spreading to nearby property. A spokesman at the Webster Tyre Company premises in Hutcheon Street said

“I got here as the fire was at its peak. And when you have a tyre stock worth £30,000 you have to check.”

In August 1961, Comb Works were ravaged by a blaze causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. and only four months later a second blaze destroyed a plastic powder store.

Source : Aberdeen Paper, By Henry Milne, Keith Webster and Kenny Allan, 27th April 1969