Glasgow major fire: 60 firefighters tackle blaze engulfing buildings beside Glasgow Central Station
Scotland’s busiest station threatened by fire which started in vape shop
Firefighters were battling a huge fire which was threatening Glasgow Central Station on Sunday night as it spread to surrounding buildings after starting in a vape shop in Union Street.
A building on the street on the east side of Scotland’s busiest station partially collapsed as 15 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews were tackling the blaze which spread north to the corner of Gordon Street near the station’s main entrance.
Firefighters had to resort to taking water from the nearby River Clyde to continue the operation, while the station and surrounding streets were sealed off.
Hundreds of trains have been cancelled with the disruption expected to continue for the whole of Monday.
ScotRail alone has halted at least 459 services.
Smoke was seen billowing from the shop when the alarm was raised around 3.45pm.
Flames became visible and spread to the upper floors. Ash fell on neighbouring streets, with people urged to avoid the area and residents told to keep their windows closed.
Guests at the Grand Central Hotel on Gordon Street on the west side of the station were evacuated to a nearby hotel.
A fire service spokesperson said at 10.30pm: "Firefighters continue to work to extinguish a large building fire on Union Street, Glasgow.
"At its height, 15 fire appliances and specialist resources, including three high-reach vehicles and a water rescue team, were mobilised to the area.
"We were first alerted at 3.46pm on Sunday to reports of a fire affecting the ground floor of a four-storey commercial building.
“There are no reported casualties, and crews remain at the scene.”
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "Glasgow Central Station has been closed until further notice, and will not reopen on Monday morning, following a fire at a vape shop on Union Street this afternoon.
"Emergency services, including Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, are on site and managing the incident.
“As a precaution, all services through Glasgow Central have been suspended and passengers are advised to seek alternative travel arrangements."
Paul Sweeney, Labour MSP for Glasgow, said in a social media post that the affected building dated back to 1851.
He said: “Sadly, the building has now partially collapsed. I hope the fire can be contained.
“It’s a massive blow to Union Street with the restoration of the Egyptian Halls [opposite the fire] in prospect.”
Journeycheck, which provides information about ScotRail services, reported: "Disruption is expected until the end of the day on Monday".
Glasgow City Council said: “Union Street is closed from Gordon Street to Argyle Street. Renfield Street is now also closed from St Vincent Street to Gordon Street. Gordon Street is closed as far east as West Nile Street.
“Hope Street is closed from Argyle Street to Bothwell Street.
“Broomielaw is closed from Oswald Street to Jamaica Street and Clyde Street is closed westbound from Stockwell Street to Jamaica Street and eastbound from Jamaica Street to Maxwell Street.
“This is to assist the fire service in obtaining a water source from the River Clyde to help them deal with the ongoing building fire in Union Street.”
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