Firefighters tackle huge blaze near Glasgow Central Station

More than 60 firefighters are tackling a huge blaze in Glasgow city centre.

Emergency services were called to Union Street near Glasgow Central Station at around 3.46pm on Sunday.

The fire is understood to have taken hold in the ground floor of a commercial building, which has now collapsed.

Video footage shows it has since spread to the building on the corner of Gordon Street.

The station will remain closed on Monday morning with services suspended. National Rail said the station will be closed until further notice as crews continued to tackle the fire five hours after it began.

No trains will run to or from the high-level platforms at Scotland’s busiest station, and trains that run through the low-level platforms will not call at Glasgow Central.

Voco Grand Central Hotel has also been evacuated.

Police have urged people to avoid the area and have told residents to keep their windows closed.

First Minister John Swinney said in a post on X: “I am deeply concerned about the fire near Glasgow Central Station tonight and very grateful to all of the emergency services who are responding.

“Please continue to follow travel guidance, avoid the area and stay safe.”

Credit: Garry F McHarg Garry F McHarg | Focal Scotland

Paul Sweeney, Labour MSP for Glasgow, said the building – which housed the vape shop where the fire started – had partially collapsed.

In a post on X, he said the building dates back to 1851.

“Sadly the building has now partially collapsed. I hope the fire can be contained. The corner of the Forsyth Building, as well as the Caledonian Chambers and Central Hotel seem unaffected,” Mr Sweeney said.

“It’s a massive blow to Union Street with the restoration of the Egyptian Halls in prospect.”

Union Street is closed from Gordon Street and St Vincent Street remains closed at Renfield Street with diversions in place.

In a statement at 8.30pm, a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Firefighters continue to work to extinguish a large building fire on Union Street, Glasgow.

“At its height, 15 fire appliances and specialist resources, including three high-reach vehicles and a water rescue team, were mobilised to the area.

“We were first alerted at 3.46pm on Sunday, March 8, to reports of a fire affecting the ground floor of a four-storey commercial building.

“There are no reported casualties, and crews remain at the scene.”

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Glasgow Central Station has been closed until further notice, and will not reopen on Monday morning, following a fire at a vape shop on Union Street this afternoon.

“Emergency services, including Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, are on site and managing the incident. As a precaution, all services through Glasgow Central have been suspended and passengers are advised to seek alternative travel arrangements.

“We will provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available.”