FIFTY YEARS AGO THURSDAY MARCH 16, 1967

Expensive backfire

A BARN, 40 tons of fertiliser and five tons of oats were destroyed at Tayinloan on Thursday – because a diesel engine backfired.

Farm-hand Malcolm McKinnon, 22, had just started a small engine used for bruising corn in a barn at Largie Farm, when it backfired and threw flames around him.

Malcolm attempted to extinguish the ensuing fire but was driven back by the heat and smoke. The alarm was raised and fire appliances from Campbeltown – 23 miles away – and Tarbert – 15 miles away – raced to the farm. By the time they arrived, the barn was a blazing inferno.

Firemen fought the blaze for nearly an hour before it was brought under control.

An adjoining farmhouse was extensively damaged with water but most items of furniture and bedding were carried to safety by estate workers.

Oh deer! What can the matter be?

A KINTYRE lorry driver had an amazing escape on Thursday.

BRS driver Thomas Paterson, of Drumlemble, was bringing a load of lemonade to Campbeltown when a deer shot out into his path near Tayinloan. Mr Paterson swerved to avoid the animal and slewed through a fence and hedgerow. The lorry overturned and landed on its side. A considerable amount of his load was lost and smashed bottles littered the field.

Another lorry was sent from Campbeltown and, with the help of two tractors, the surviving cargo was retrieved. Mr Paterson escaped unhurt.