A significant building in Glasgow city center, which was destroyed by fire last weekend, has experienced further collapse. Glasgow City Council reported that the remaining structure sustained additional damage following the initial fire that ravaged the building on Union Street, resulting in 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, and only a few train services have resumed post the blaze outbreak. The council now states that the Victorian building’s remaining parts are severely compromised, as reported by the Daily Record.
Raymond Barlow, the city’s head of building standards, mentioned that since the beginning of the fire incident, city staff have been on-site to assess the damage in collaboration with the fire service. He noted the catastrophic collapse during the fire’s peak, with subsequent collapses, including the southern gable of the structure. The site remains under the fire service’s control, limiting access for further assessment.
While the lower level of Glasgow Central station has resumed operations, the main section will continue to be closed for the week pending a structural evaluation by Network Rail engineers. Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, described the fire’s impact as extensive, acknowledging the significant disruption to public travel and city activities. He also pledged support for the numerous affected businesses.