Springburn Virtual Museum

Springburn in transition

Wellfield Church on fire, 1983

Wellfield Church met the fate of many other empty churches and was burnt down by vandals in 1983. The building was finally demolished on 27 June 1983, 84 years after its foundation (see Community life picture 5).

The most serious fire incident was on Monday 18 July 1983. Eleven firemen were injured attending a fire at the old headquarters of the Cowlairs Co-op in Angus Street, latterly used by the Celtic Supporters' Club. An upper window blew out and the inrush of air caused a wall of fire to engulf the men.

In the foreground of this picture can be seen the incomplete construction work on the Hawthorn Street interchange, part of the Springburn bypass which opened in 1984.

Source: Glasgow City Archives