FIFTY years after a fire which killed 22 people in Glasgow, a memorial to honour the victims of the James Watt Street blaze has been unveiled.

The fire, which broke out at 10.30am on November 18, 1968 in a building which housed an upholstery business and a glass company, was deemed the most deadly in Glasgow since World War Two

There were two routes for those inside to escape. One was blocked by the fire, and the other was padlocked from the outside as was the door leading from the scape stair onto the street.

The fire alarm in the premises had been disconnected for six months, because the firm which operated the building, had failed to pay its bills.

Following the 50th anniversary of the tragedy, Anne Benedetti, who lost her husband, contacted her local councillor Marie Garrity to ask for a memorial to be put in place to commemorate those who lost their lives.

Yesterday morning a plaque with the names of the 22 victims was unveiled at a special ceremony.

In attendance were the fire brigade, including Jim Smith who was one of the first fire fighters at the scene, Anne Benedetti and Connie McCulloch who lost a loved during the incident and councillor Marie Garrity.

Councillor Garrity said: “Following the 50th anniversary of the fire, I was contacted by my constituent, Mrs Benedetti, who asked me if I could help create a memorial for the people who lost their lives. I would like to thank all the people who made this possible.

“I would like to give a special thanks to Jim Smith, who was one of the fire fighters on that day and retired last month, for his service and the emergency services for being in attendance at this important event.

“People really do make Glasgow.”