More than 30 Glasgow businesses impacted after raging inferno tore through historic building

More than 30 Glasgow businesses have been impacted after a raging inferno tore through a historic city centre building on Sunday afternoon.

At its height, 18 engines and specialist resources, including three high-reach vehicles, were sent to Union Street to tackle the massive blaze, which took hold at around 3.46pm.

The fire is understood to have ignited in a vape shop on the ground floor of a commercial building, which has now collapsed.

The flames spread to the building on the corner of Gordon Street. No services will be running through Scotland’s busiest station, Glasgow Central, located next to the buildings impacted by the fire.

It is unclear if the travel hub has suffered significant damage.

Nine fire engines remain on the scene along with three high-reach in an effort to control the flames.

The blaze has resulted in large number of businesses being destroyed and has affected many others in the area.

The blaze took hold on Sunday afternoon. Garry F McHarg | Focal Scotland

In a statement on Instagram, a shop called Sexy Coffee said its business located inside the building had been destroyed.

“We are absolutely devastated to confirm that the shop has sadly been destroyed in the fire,” the statement said.

“It is heartbreaking for us and our team, especially after the support and loyalty we have received from so many of you over the years.

“However, we want to reassure everyone that this is not the end. We will rebuild, revamp the shop, and reopen as soon as possible.

“In the meantime, our Argyle Street branch remains open, and we would love to welcome you there.

“Thank you to all of our amazing customers for your continued support. It truly means everything to us.

“We will be back.”

The owner of Willow Hair Salon confirmed on social media that her business had also been destroyed, and the Voco Grand Central Hotel was also evacuated.

Tangible hair salon, which is based at Union Street, confirmed they were one of the businesses affected.

“A fire took our building today”, they wrote on Instagram. “As far as I’m aware it’s still burning. All of our businesses are lost. We stood in the street and held each other as we cried and watched everything we’d built destroyed.

“As far as we know everyone is safe, everyone is just in shock and devastated.”

In a statement on social media, Haus of Hair said they were “beyond devastated”.