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Scottish Fire and Rescue Service hold memorial on 40th anniversary: 'Firefighter Roderick MacLeod, gone but never forgotten


By Louise Glen

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Fire service colleagues paid tribute to Roddy McLeod.
Fire service colleagues paid tribute to Roddy McLeod.

RETIRED and serving members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service paid respects to a fallen colleague last Friday.

Fire service personnel, accompanied by more than 30 retired members of service, paid a poignant tribute to 25–year–old fireman Roderick MacLeod, from Inverness Fire Station, who tragically lost his life, on May 21 1981 at a fire at Aberchalder Lodge, near Invergarry.

His death, 40 years ago, was the last of a serving fire officer on duty in the Highlands.

A floral tribute was laid by group commander Ross Nixon on behalf of the service, and a minute silence was observed to remember Fireman MacLeod at his graveside in Tomnahurich Cemetery.

Mr Nixon said: "Many of the retired members attending were at the incident and recalled the profound affect the incident had on them, the station and the town itself."

He continued: "On the 40th anniversary it was important that we remembered Firefighter MacLeod who tragically died in the line of duty whilst tackling a blaze.

The procession on the day of Firefighter MacLeod's funeral.
The procession on the day of Firefighter MacLeod's funeral.

Quoting a news report at the time, he continued: "At 5.20pm, the then Northern Fire Brigade received a 999 call reporting a fire at Aberchalder Lodge, four miles from Invergarry.

"The volunteer firefighters of Fort Augustus were the first appliance to to mobilised, and on their arrival found a severe fire in progress, with flames coming through the roof of the isolated guest house.

"The officer in charge immediately sent an assistance message requesting further appliances and firefighters. Two appliances from Inverness and one from Fort William were mobilised on receipt of the assistance message.

"On arrival of the additional appliances and crews, a reliable water supply for fire fighting was established, and firefighters worked for hours to bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading.

"Firefighter MacLeod was on the ground floor of the property with another firefighter, working to extinguish pockets of fire in the living room, when suddenly and without warning the first floor collapsed down onto them, trapping him."

While immediate attempts were made by firefighter MacLeod’s colleagues to locate him, with firefighters digging with their hands through rubble, he was found trapped under beams, which were too heavy to lift by hand, and hydraulic jacks had to be used.

Mr Nixon continued: "Despite the best efforts of a local doctor, and colleagues to resuscitate him he was pronounced dead at the scene."

The parade at the Fire Station.
The parade at the Fire Station.

Firefighter MacLeod was married and had served with the Northern Fire Brigade for four years.

The most likely cause of the blaze was believed to have been an electrical fault under the flooring of the bedroom which was directly above the living room.

Most of the lodge dating from the 17th century was destroyed in the fire ,and subsequent collapse.

Mr Nixon added: "Firefighter Roderick MacLeod, gone but never forgotten."


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