Firefighters respond to Union Street blaze in Glasgow
A major fire near Glasgow Central Station forced the closure of the station and the suspension of rail services after a blaze broke out in a commercial building on Union Street in Glasgow city centre on Sunday 8 March.
Media reporting and statements from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service indicate the alarm was raised at about 15:45 after a fire was reported in a shop within the building, which forms part of a block of multi-storey Victorian commercial properties close to the entrance of the station.
Firefighters attended the incident with 15 appliances, including three high-reach vehicles, while crews pumped water from the River Clyde as the fire developed during the afternoon and evening.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said there had been no reported casualties as of 20:30 on Sunday evening.
Fire first reported in Union Street shop
Reports indicated the fire was first reported in a vape shop on Union Street near Glasgow Central Station after emergency services were alerted to the incident at about 15:45.
Images and aerial footage from the area showed flames spreading through the structure as fire spread across the building during the incident.
Fire damage was visible across several floors of the property as firefighters continued working to control the blaze.
Large-scale fire service response mounted
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said 15 appliances were deployed to tackle the fire, including three high-reach vehicles used by firefighters operating above street level.
Firefighters used aerial platforms to direct water onto the upper sections of the building while crews at street level worked to contain the flames.
Water supply operations included pumping water from the River Clyde as crews continued the firefighting operation.
Fire spread through historic city centre buildings
The fire affected a row of Victorian buildings around Union Street and Renfield Street in Glasgow city centre.
Drone images from the scene showed the building’s roof had collapsed and that the fire had spread through the structure.
Several sections of the building appeared to be heavily damaged as the incident continued.
Structural damage and fire development
A structural collapse was reported during the firefighting operation as the fire progressed through the building.
BBC Scotland journalist Paul Ward reported from the scene: “I’ve just watched the dome on the building next to Central Station fall in the fire.
“Four floors of the building are still standing from what I can see on Renfield Street.
“Two firefighters on height appliances are dampening down flames.
“Embers can still be seen burning in the lower levels of the building.”
Impact on transport and city infrastructure
The incident resulted in the closure of Glasgow Central Station and the suspension of rail services through the station.
ScotRail said the closure would continue into Monday morning while passengers were advised to check travel updates with their operators.
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.
“We will provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available.”
Bus operators said some services would accept train tickets for affected passengers as disruption continued in the city centre.
Public safety response
Police urged members of the public to stay away from the area around the fire as crowds gathered near cordons around Union Street and Gordon Street.
Journalist Jamie McIvor reported from the area that the fire was “one of the biggest – and most visible – in the city centre for many years”, adding that “Central Staton is closed and bus routes are disrupted.”
First Minister John Swinney said he was “deeply concerned” about the fire near Glasgow Central Station and was “very grateful to all of the emergency services who are responding.”
He added: “Please continue to follow travel guidance, avoid the area and stay safe.”
Businesses describe damage after blaze
Several businesses based in the affected building posted statements on social media following the fire.
Sexy Coffee said it was “devastated” that its Union Street branch had been destroyed, describing the situation as “heartbreaking” and adding that it would “rebuild, revamp the shop and reopen”.
Lucky in Love tattooing said it was “devastated”, adding that the business was in “complete shock”.
Nail salon Amore said it was “absolutely heartbroken”, describing the situation as “horrendous”.
The owner of Willow hair salon said her business had been “burned to the ground”.
Firefighters remained at the scene as crews continued working to extinguish the fire and secure the building.