Great Fire of 1961 remembered as the Sixth Form Centre is officially opened

 

 

Image of the Sixth Form Centre by kind permission of Andrew Lee

 

On Thursday 24 February, Dollar Academy celebrated the official opening of its state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre, whilst also remembering the devastating fire that swept through the Playfair Building exactly fifty years previously. Thanks to the work of school Archivist, Mrs Janet Carolan, a dramatic and carefully researched exhibition documenting the fire was on show in the Library and can be downloaded in pdf form by clicking on the link below. Gratitude is also expressed to the Head Boy and Head Girl of 1961 (Mr Bruce Ritchie and Mrs Jean McDermid), who kindly agreed to cut the ribbon and unveil the magnificent Sixth Form Centre.   24 February 2011     Dollar Academy Fire Exhibition (5.32MB)

 

 

 

The Library. The twisted frame of the Cupola is in the foreground.

 

 

The flames were reported to be 100 feet high. Those watching were shocked by the speed of the destruction and the noise. Pupils stood watching in silent huddles and some wept.

 

 

Up to 14 fire appliances and 100 firemen fought the fire at its peak.

 

 

An aerial view captures the full extent of the damage