NOWADAYS there is no trace of the devastation that occurred, but across Glasgow lie the sites of dramatic fires that saw brave crews battle to save lives – and pay the ultimate price.

To honour the men who gave their lives while fighting these flames, Strathclyde Fire And Rescue has created a trail of plaques across the city.

A total of 12 memorial plaques have been set into the pavement at sites where firefighters died on duty.

The Firefighters' Heritage Trail begins in Queens Court, just off Queen Street, where fireman James Bruce died while tackling "one of the most destructive fires" the city had seen at that time.

It was all firemen in 1831 when the blaze happened and they were volunteers who turned out from home when they were needed.

Mr Bruce died when he fell from the top of a ladder while fighting the flames, which saw 24 properties destroyed.

Nearby Royal Exchange Square hosts the second plaque on the city-wide tour where, in 1856, fireman John Harrison was killed.

When the blaze broke out firemen were called from their homes by a team of drummers who would walk specific routes that went past the homes of crew members.

Once the alarm was raised fire engines were then pushed by hand to the site.

The public would be called on to help pump the levers to keep water flowing – and beer was given out at fires to slake the workers' thirst.

The third plaque has been placed at Renfield Street where four men – James Hastie and John Battersby of Central Fire Station, College Street, and David Smith and Charles Orr of North Fire Station – died in 1898.

A fire and explosion hit the W & R Hatrick's Chemical Works. The men's bodies were pulled from the ruined building and taken home to their families, which was the custom at that time.

Just six years later, in Hunter Street, near Glasgow Cathedral, a second explosion ripped through the North British Railway Company.

Fireman William Rae, who worked from the new Central Fire Station in Ingram Street, died from injuries sustained at the fire.

The Ingram Street station, now shops, housed a drill yard, workshops, gym, an administrative office and rent-free accommodation for single men and families.

By this time Glasgow had also installed a street fire alarm system – the first in Britain.

Fire chiefs hope the series of plaques will attract tourists and also the people of Glasgow to help show the brigade's proud history.

The trail comes as Strathclyde Fire And Rescue prepares to merge into a single force and fire chiefs hopes to preserve Glasgow's distinguished fire fighting history.

Plaque five hails firemen Frederick True and James Farquharson, who died at the corner of Miller Street and Argyle Street when Bowman's Store went up in flames.

The men, from Western District Fire Station – now Yorkhill Station – were killed in 1921.

The Firefighters' Heritage Trail, which has been awarded £54,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will be officially unveiled this month.

It also hails four men killed in 1927 at a blaze in Graham Street, Gallowgate, on Christmas Eve.

The bodies of James Conn, Morrison Dunbar, Harry W McKellar and David Jeffrey were not recovered until three days later.

Six further plaques honour men killed at Prince's Dock on a blaze aboard the MV Pagensand; a firefighter and four children killed at Cumberland Place, Gorbals; and a fireman who died at the Scottish Television headquarters in Hope Street.

A fire in Deanston Drive, Shawlands, is also recognised, as is the 1972 Kilbirnie Street fire, near Eglinton Toll, in which seven firefighters died, and the Maryhill Road fire later that year.

The trail will be extended to pinpoint further sites of fire service history, including sites of major incidents and the historical fire station buildings that have since found new uses.

The trail will be supported by an illustrated guide to steer people around the city to view the plaques.

As well as the guide, a website will show extensive records of Glasgow's firefighting history, including archive press reports and video footage, personal testimonies, background information and picture galleries.

Planning for the trail is being carried out by the Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Heritage Committee.

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk

GLASGOW is preparing to hail its fallen firefighters with a city-wide memorial trail of plaques. CATRIONA STEWART takes a look back at some of the most devasting blazes fire crews have dealt with -

STRATHCLYDE Fire & Rescue is urging the public to 'Join The Fight Against Fire'.

The campaign aims to highlight how the organisation can support older people – helping them to live in their homes safely – by delivering tailored fire-safe solutions.

They also want to encourage people to keep themselves, their neighbours and their communities safe.

Call 0800 0731999 or text CHECK to 61611 for more information.

NEXT week:

We speak to the families of men killed in two devastating fires in the 1970s who will be hailed by the Firefighters' Heritage Trail and look at how communities near the plaques are being urged to get involved.