A historic building in Glasgow city center, which was engulfed in flames last weekend, has experienced further collapse. Glasgow City Council confirmed that the remaining structure sustained additional damage following the devastating fire that ravaged the building on Union Street, leading to a partial collapse. The fire originated in a vape shop on Sunday afternoon and quickly spread across four floors.
The nearby Glasgow Central Station had to shut down, with only limited train services resuming post the inferno. The council now states that the Victorian building’s remnants are severely compromised, as reported by the Daily Record.
Raymond Barlow, the head of building standards in the city, mentioned that their staff has been on-site since the early stages of the fire, assessing the damage and assisting the fire service. He highlighted the significant collapse during the fire’s peak, which resulted in the front facade collapsing. Subsequently, there have been more collapses, including the southern gable of the remaining structure. The building’s stability is now precarious, with limited access granted due to the fire service managing the site.
While the lower level of Glasgow Central station has resumed operations, the main section will remain closed for the week pending a structural assessment by Network Rail engineers to evaluate any potential damage.
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, expressed concern over the extensive damage caused by the fire, predicting substantial disruptions for commuters and businesses in the city center. He assured support for the numerous businesses affected by the incident.