Video reveals homeless hero tackling Glasgow vape store fireplace earlier than explosion
Dramatic footage shows James Welch, 51, charging towards the blazing Union Street shop with a fire extinguisher before being dragged away seconds before a massive explosion nearly killed him
James Welch tried to save people from the inferno(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Reach PLC)
A courageous rough sleeper attempted to douse flames at a Glasgow shop moments before a colossal blast “nearly killed him”.
Stunning footage captures James Welch, 51, bravely rushing towards a burning vape store on Union Street clutching nothing but a fire extinguisher as dense smoke billowed from the premises on Sunday afternoon. The remarkable clip shows the Barmulloch resident crouching mere feet from the inferno, directing foam straight at the blaze as it raged within the shop.
Within moments, two bystanders sprint forward and haul him clear of harm’s way. Seconds later, a tremendous explosion erupts from the structure – hurling wreckage and flames into the street where James had been positioned just moments before.
The blaze swept through neighbouring properties on Sunday, with fire crews battling the conflagration well into Monday as clouds of smoke were spotted drifting across Glasgow city centre. Buildings on Gordon Street were also razed as the fire ripped through historic Victorian structures.
James had been strolling down Union Street when he spotted smoke streaming from the premises. Fearing people might be trapped within, he seized a fire extinguisher he noticed abandoned in the road and sprinted towards the burning structure, reports the Daily Record.
Disregarding the peril, he attempted to combat the flames and reach those he suspected were stranded upstairs. James revealed to the Record: “I saw a fire and smoke bombing out of a shop and what I thought were people on the first floor, which I now know were mannequins. There was a fire extinguisher lying in the middle of the street so I grabbed it and ran to the building. I hid behind it as I sprayed foam onto the fire. I put those flames out.
“A little explosion then happened and a vape flew out and hit the top of my head as well as burning the hood of my new jacket. A member of the public told me to get back but I was shouting, ‘No’, because I wanted to go in and save the people upstairs.
“I wasn’t scared for my life, I couldn’t let people die. I tried to get into the shop by which point I was dragged away from behind.
“Those men in turn saved my life. They pulled me a matter of feet away and as soon as they did, that building exploded. I feel very lucky, I would have died.”
Becoming emotional, James confessed he felt no fear and had nothing left to lose. He went on: “I have had my throat cut, been shot and my head chopped at – this didn’t scare me at all. That building survived two world wars and I feel very bad that I couldn’t save it.
“I knew that fire would spread. I tried to stop it to help people escape the area. I spoke with the owner of the shop and he told me, ‘You have done an extraordinary thing by not only trying to save my shop but also trying to save people’.
“I just wish my mum was alive to see this. She would have been so proud of me.”
Following his brave actions, James has been shown kindness beyond anything he’s witnessed previously. He continued: “I am homeless and I am seeing generosity like never before. I am just a member of the public who tried to stop people from dying like any normal Glaswegian would have done.”
