A DISASTROUS FIRE.
The new premises had only been opened for a few months when, one Sunday morning in October, those responsible for carrying on the work of the branch were horrified to discover that fire had broken out. The fire was first discovered by one of the men employed in the stables, whose attention was attracted by the sound of breaking glass. He at once raised the alarm, and while the local fire brigade was being summoned the stablemen did their best to overcome the fire, but without success. By the time the local fire brigade arrived the fire had gained a firm hold, and assistance was telephoned for to Glasgow. The appliances of the local brigade were not of much use, and all that the Glasgow brigade were able to do when they arrived was to confine the fire to the upper floors, which, with their contents, were completely destroyed. Fortunately the lower floors were fireproof, and beyond damage by water there was little harm done.
Arrangements were at once made to transfer the bakers in the Clydebank factory to M‘Neil Street so as to cause the minimum of inconvenience to the customers of the Society, and an agreement was come to with the Operative Bakers’ Union whereby the men were allowed to begin work an hour earlier in the mornings and two hours earlier on Saturdays while the reconstruction was taking place. Fortunately, very little damage was done to the lower part of the building; but it was decided that in rebuilding the upper portion it should be made entirely fireproof. For this reason it was decided that the new roof should be flat and of concrete. The damage done by the fire amounted to over £10,900. So quickly was the work of renovation begun that by the Saturday of the week in which the fire took place a temporary roof had been erected, and the work of baking had again been started. It is interesting to note here that Barrhead Society, which had, not long before, completed the erection of a new bakery of their own, offered to place it at the disposal of the U.C.B.S. if they should require it; but, fortunately, the directors found themselves in a position to decline this kind offer.
The facilities for extinguishing a fire of such magnitude possessed by Clydebank Town Council had proved to be quite inadequate for the purpose, and a strong protest was made by the board. Particularly the water pressure had been found quite inadequate for the work. By the beginning of December the directors had submitted plans to the Dean of Guild Court for the reconstruction of the premises, and these were passed on an undertaking being given that the boiler flue, to a defect in which it was supposed that the fire had been due, would be built to the satisfaction of the master of works. The building was quickly completed, and soon work was in full swing again.