Fire Department

Annual reports, including reports from neighbouring brigades, 1922-1970; Letter books (incomplete), 1922-1942; Fire report books, 1885-1942, 1948-1966; Fire station occurrence books, 1942-1945; Register of firemen, c1878-1920; Papers relating to a strike and disciplinary matters, 1951; Inspection and repair books (incomplete), 1895-1929; Records of fire plugs, including sketch books showing locations, 1909-1939 and undated; Miscellaneous memorandum books, undated; Home Office circulars, c1936-1940; National Fire Service instructions, c1941-1948; Photographs, mainly of fires, arranged by streets, but also including photographs of fire stations and appliances, undated; Miscellaneous plans, undated; National Fire Service Western (No.1) Area Band Association constitution, minutes and correspondence, 1943-1944; Fire Prevention Section, annual returns, papers relating to fire prevention campaigns, etc., c1946-1970; Papers relating to fire inspections of places of public entertainment, c1958-1965; Report on the fatal fire at 76/118 Cheapside Street, Glasgow on 28 Mar 1960; Correspondence and papers relating to the Fire Service dog ‘Wallace’, 1967-1974.

Until the early 19th century fire-fighting in Glasgow was a public duty, but with some involvement by the town council and by insurance societies. In 1807 all public fire extinguishing appliances were transferred to the Police Board, who were to be responsible for fire-fighting thereafter (Glasgow Police Act 1807, 47 Geo. III (sess. 2), c.29). The fire service had its own superintendent, who was subordinate to the superintendent of police. Central Fire Station opened as the headquarters of the service in 1851, in College Street, where it remained until a move to Ingram Street in 1900. The Fire Brigade passed with the police to Glasgow Corporation in 1895 and later became a separate department. In July 1941 the government took over responsibility for the function as part of the wartime National Fire Service; it returned to the control of the Corporation in May 1948 (Fire Services (Emergency Provisions) Act 1941, 4 & 5 Geo. VI, c.22; Fire Services Act 1947, 10 & 11 Geo.VI, c.41). In 1975 the Brigade became part of a larger Strathclyde Fire Service, with headquarters in Hamilton.

[Description taken from the Scottish Archive Network]

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Glasgow City Archives, TD1431, Strathclyde Fire Brigade

Glasgow City Archives, E1/10, Minutes of the Watching, Fire-Engines and Lighting Committees

Glasgow City Archives, E2/1/2, Police Department - Reports of the Various Departments [including Fire]

Glasgow City Archives, TD629, Glasgow Central Fire Station plans