Great Western Hotel, Oban 1973

Note the fire-damaged Esplanade Hotel next door.

On July 24, 1973, a devastating fire broke out at the Esplanade Hotel in Oban, Scotland, resulting in the deaths of ten tourists. It remains one of the deadliest hotel fires in Scotland since World War II.

The blaze started in the early hours and quickly engulfed the five-storey building. A sailor aboard a nearby yacht noticed the flames and sounded a foghorn to alert the town. Despite the swift response from firefighters from Oban and nearby areas, the fire spread rapidly, trapping many guests. Some guests were forced to cling to window ledges awaiting rescue.

The hotel’s outdated design and lack of adequate fire escapes made rescue efforts extremely difficult. After the tragedy, the hotel’s owner admitted to being aware of fire risks but had delayed safety improvements due to cost concerns, expressing deep regret over the loss of life.

Following the fire, the Esplanade Hotel was demolished, and the site is now occupied by a modern apartment complex called Esplanade Court. The incident led to stronger fire safety regulations across the UK, highlighting the critical importance of proper fire precautions in public buildings.