A severe fire engulfed an old Victorian-style building in front of Glasgow Central Station, causing part of the structure to collapse. Over 60 firefighters were deployed to control the blaze, and authorities immediately closed Scotland's busiest train station, affecting tens of thousands of passengers on Monday morning.
A large fire occurred at a Grade B listed Victorian building on Union Street, adjacent to the entrance of Glasgow Central Station, on Sunday afternoon (8 Mar) local time. The historic building, over 170 years old, partially collapsed as a result.
Scottish Fire and Rescue received the alert around 15:45. The fire started at an e-cigarette shop before rapidly spreading through the four-story building. By evening, the dome at the building's corner collapsed in front of onlookers amid thick black smoke billowing from the structure. More than 60 firefighters, 15 fire engines, high-reach appliances, and a water rescue team worked throughout the night to contain the fire. There were no initial reports of injuries or deaths.
Well-known businesses in the building, such as the coffee shop "Sexy Coffee" and the hair salon "Willow," issued statements expressing sorrow that their businesses were completely destroyed by the fire. Meanwhile, the Voco Grand Central Hotel, located within the station complex, evacuated all guests to other hotels in the city for transportation safety.
The national rail company announced an indefinite closure of Glasgow Central, Scotland's busiest station. On Monday, no trains will arrive or depart from the upper levels, while trains will pass through the lower levels without stopping. This will significantly disrupt routes to London, Liverpool, and Manchester.
A statement from Scotland's First Minister John Swinney expressed deep concern about the incident and urged the public to avoid the area and strictly follow official instructions. Infrastructure authorities plan to conduct a detailed damage assessment of the station on Monday morning.
The building, known as "Union Corner," was constructed in 1851, predating the opening of Glasgow Central Station in 1879. This loss represents a significant blow to Glasgow's architectural heritage.
/BBC