Plaques unveiled to honour firefighters killed in Dundee in line of duty over 60 years ago

Plaques have been unveiled in Dundee to honour two firefighters killed in the line of duty.

The memorials were installed during a ceremony at Blackness Road Fire Station on Thursday to honour John Buist and William Carnegie.

Mr Buist died after being trapped by burning bales of jute in a fire at Grants Jute Warehouse in the city on April 13, 1962.

His colleagues attempted to rescue him for more than two hours.

The married father-of-one was just 53 and had been a fireman for 30 years.

Mr Carnegie was killed just months later while attending a fire on Mains Road, Dundee, on June 14, 1962.

Plaques unveiled during ceremony at Dundee's Blackness Fire Station — Plaques unveiled during ceremony at Dundee’s Blackness Fire Station

He was seriously injured after plunging 30 feet from the roof of a two-storey tenement and he died in hospital the following month.

The 44-year-old was survived by his wife and their 17-year-old son.

The red plaques commemorating them are part of a scheme set up by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) during its centenary as a memorial to firefighters who died in the line of duty.

FBU regional treasurer Seona Hart said: “John Buist and William Carnegie lost their lives while serving and protecting the people of Dundee.

“The red plaques we have unveiled will ensure the memory of their sacrifice lives on. Both firefighters died while attending fires in the local area, and both left behind loving families and a bereaved community.

“As firefighters we will never forget those who have died in the line of duty, and with these plaques they now have their place in public memory as part of the history of the city.”

Newspaper clippings describe Buist as one of the Angus fire service's 'best known members' (FBU) — Newspaper clippings describe Buist as one of the Angus fire service’s ‘best known members’ (FBU)

Tam McFarlane, FBU national officer, said there are now more than 80 red plaques representing “almost 200 fallen firefighters” across the UK to remind us of “our shared history.”

He added: “Each unveiling ceremony is a moving tribute to firefighters who sacrificed their lives, as well as to their families and colleagues. Today we have come together as a community to remember the enormous bravery and sacrifice of John Buist and William Carnegie. We will ensure they are never forgotten.”