Fire at Calder Cabinet Works 17th May 1897.

LOCHWINNOCH has been very unfortunate in its industrial experience. In the past three years it has been the scene of several disastrous calamities. Mr Joseph Johnstone's cabinet factory was burned and had only just been set in working order again when it was blown down. And last Monday morning Calder Cabinet Works, occupied by Messrs Hunter, Hamilton, & Crawford, was the scene of a very disastrous conflagration, which has thrown about 150 men out of employment. I am, however, glad to hear that many of these men have since secured employment in Glasgow, Beith, and elsewhere.

This event ought to again emphasise the necessity for such places as Lochwinnoch, Beith, Kiibirnie, and Dairy to have proper fire extinguishing apparatus, and a thoroughly trained public fire brigade in each. It is most remarkable that an industrial community like ours is not more efficiently equipped in this respect. If the Diamond Jubilee committee had met tonight and not last Friday I venture to say that the purchase of hose would have received a very large measure of support as an appropriate way of commemorating this special event.

The village of Lochwinnoch was thrown into a state of intense excitement early on Monday morning by the alarming news that a serious fire was raging at the Calder Cabinet Works, occupied by Messrs Hunter, Hamilton and Crawford. The works occupy a position in the south end of the village, and on the west side of High Street. The main portion of the premises is, a building 120 feet long by 26 feet broad. This, along with the engine house to the south, and a back jamb on the east side (built about eighteen months ago) was totally destroyed, the only parts remaining in position being portions of the walls. The factory consisted of three storeys and attics, and was built of brick with slate roof. The ground flat was occupied as a machine shop, the first and second flats being used by the chairmakers and sandpaperers, the attic flat by the carvers, and in the back jamb one of the flats was used by the upholsterers.

The outbreak was first observed about half-past one in the morning. The town's hose came on the scene after about a couple of hour's delay, but it was of little or no use. So combustible was the nature of the material in the works that within an hour afterwards the whole block where the fire originated was enveloped in a mass of flames. The efforts of employees and others, who had turned out to witness the conflagration, were directed towards saving the outlying portions of the establishment and the adjoining properties. The flames, however, spread towards the wood cutting and packing sheds, both of which were also destroyed. An adjoining shed belonging to Viewfield Works also caught fire, but owing to the continued playing of the hose on these premises they escaped with only a slight charring and blistering. The fire in the main building continued with unabated fury, and as the floors and roof gradually fell in the flames somewhat abated, but the ruins continued smouldering until late in the day.

The damage, which is said to be partially insured, is estimated at between £10,000 to £15,000. The destruction of machinery, some of which was almost new, accounts for over £1000. The works, for several years past, had not been so busy as lately, and their prospects were never better. Two large orders of fancy ship chairs (one of their specialties) for P & O vessels, were, with other fancy chairs, all destroyed. The origin of the fire is unknown. Affecting as it does about 150 men, many of them heads of families, the consequences of the fire will be severely felt in the village. Some idea of the fierce nature of the conflagration may be formed, when it is stated that some woodwork on the main street of the village, fully 50 yards from the factory, was charred and blistered. It was fortunate that there was little wind, and any wind there was carried the flames away from Viewfield Works, or it is more than probable that Mr Joseph Johnstone's factory, which immediately adjoins that of Messrs Hunter & Co. to the west, would also have suffered; but willing workmen were employed in throwing water on the more adjacent parts, and they escaped with little injury. The fire was witnessed by hundreds of villagers who had only a few hours previously retired to rest.