ALL THAT REMAINS OF FIVE FAMILIES’ POSSESSIONS
Bedding, clothing, and furniture strewn over the braeside in the sunshine – the scene during yesterday’s fire at Cruden Bay, in which five families lost their homes.
CRUDEN BAY FIRE – 21 HOMELESS
FALLING SLATE STRIKES PETERHEAD FIREMAN
Five Cruden Bay families—nine adults and twelve children—had to find shelter last night with neighbours and relatives, after they had lost their homes in a spectacular afternoon blaze.
The building, which was left with little more than the walls standing, was a two-storey dwelling, known as Pleasant Cottage, off Harbour Street, in the old part of the village.
None of the tenants was hurt, but Section Leader Andrew M. J. Smith, of Peterhead Fire Brigade, narrowly escaped serious injury. A slate falling from the roof struck his ear, and he required first aid treatment.
On the ground floor of the building lived Mr and Mrs R. Watson, both of whom are deaf and dumb; Mr and Mrs J. Phillips, their children Anne (2 and a half) and James (18 months), and Mr Phillips’ eighty-two-year-old mother; tenants on the upper floor were – Mrs Maggie Silver, widow; Mr and Mrs Joseph Fraser jnr., with their twin son and daughter and elder son Clifford (3); Mr and Mrs Henry Mathers, with a family of seven whose ages range from three to fourteen.
The fire broke out in the home of Mrs Mathers shortly before three o’clock. After sitting for a time on the outside stair waiting for a kettle to boil on a paraffin stove, Mrs Mathers returned to find the kitchen full of smoke.
She warned the other householders, and while Mr Bob Roberts telephoned for Peterhead Fire Brigade, the tenants tried desperately to extinguish the outbreak. Neighbours and salmon fishermen rushed to assist, but the fire had gained a firm grip.
At the same time, the helpers did everything possible to remove articles from the building. They were able to save some furniture on the ground floor, but nothing was saved upstairs apart from a quantity of bedding and children’s clothing.
BUDGIE SAVED
Jockie, a ten-year-old budgerigar belonging to Mrs Phillips, was taken out safely.
Spreading rapidly, the flames shot through the roof, which was demolished, but the firemen tackled the blaze with such good effect that they were able to prevent the complete destruction of the ground floor. The lower rooms, however, were damaged by falling plaster.
The belongings which were saved from the burning building were stored for the night in nearby sheds and the Mission Hall.
The homeless families were visited by many sympathisers, including the Rev. James Porter, Cruden Bay Congregational Church.
(from The Press and Journal, Friday, May 19, 1950)