Drone pilots warned to avoid Union Street fire as emergency response continues

Drone pilots have been warned not to fly near the site of the major building fire in Glasgow as the emergency response continues.

Police issued the warning in the aftermath of the blaze that tore through a B-listed Victorian building on Union Street on Sunday afternoon.

Over 200 firefighters were involved in the major incident, which is believed to have originated at a ground-floor vape shop near Glasgow Central.

Flames quickly spread through the four-storey building, which housed dozens of businesses.

The structure has been severely damaged, with parts of the building collapsing and its distinctive dome destroyed.

Emergency responders remain at the scene as the area continues to be secured, and several streets have been cordoned off.

In a statement, Police Scotland said unmanned aircraft must not be flown close to the incident site while operations are ongoing.

They said: “Due to the ongoing emergency response in the area surrounding the building fire on Union Street in Glasgow, unmanned aircraft should not be flown close to or within the airspace until 12pm on Friday, March 13, 2026.

“Drone pilots and operators are reminded it is an offence to fly over an ongoing emergency response and are encouraged to check NOTAM information and the Drone Safety Map before flying.”

The blaze has also caused major disruption to transport in the city centre, with Glasgow Central Station – Scotland’s busiest railway station – remaining closed.

Only the façade of the building on Gordon Street has been left standing following the fire.

Investigations into the cause of the blaze are ongoing.