Travel chaos after devastating fire on Union Street near Glasgow Central continues

Latest updates

Glasgow Central high level to remain closed for the rest of the week
Low level trains to resume this morning
City centre road closures reduced but remain in place
18 fire engines and specialist resources sent to the scene at height of blaze
More than 250 firefighters involved since alarm raised at 3.46pm on Sunday

Travel chaos following a devastating fire near Glasgow Central Station is continuing into a fourth day.

Scotland’s busiest train station was closed on Sunday after a blaze engulfed a neighbouring four-storey building on Union Street, causing it to partially collapse.

Network Rail has been unable to determine whether there has been any damage to the station because of the instability of the facade at the Union Street corner.

The train operator said the high-level station will remain closed this week until structural assessment work can take place.

Four fire engines and a high-reach vehicle remain at the scene as of 4.30pm on Tuesday, while a preliminary multi-agency investigation into the cause of the fire is under way.

Police Scotland has reduced road closures and the cordon, with some still in place for public safety.

The fire started at around 3.46pm on Sunday and quickly spread to a 19th-century commercial building at the corner of Gordon Street and Union Street, causing “enormous damage” and the loss of the building’s dome.

More than 200 firefighters were involved in the incident, with 18 fire engines and a specialist resource deployed to the scene at the height of the blaze.

Only the facade of the building has been left standing on Gordon Street. Network Rail Scotland

Network Rail said Glasgow Central will reopen “as soon as it is safe to do so”.

Route director Ross Moran said: “We want to reassure passengers that we are doing everything we can to open the high level station, but we must enable the emergency services and Glasgow City Council to complete their critical work to secure the Union Corner site and make it safe.”

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David Ross, ScotRail chief operating officer, said: “Following comprehensive safety checks, I’m very pleased that we will operate ScotRail services via Glasgow Central low level.

“However, Glasgow Central High Level station will not reopen this week as the impact of the fire in the building next to the station continues to be assessed by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Glasgow City Council.

“We know this closure is causing significant disruption for our customers, and we’re very sorry for the impact it is having on journeys.

“Our teams are working hard to keep people moving where possible, and we’d encourage customers to check their journey before travelling using the ScotRail app or website.”

Glasgow’s Subway Network will be accepting ScotRail tickets.

Drone pilots have been warned not to fly near the site of the major building fire.

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

Road closures

The public has been urged to avoid the area if possible and plan ahead for any journeys.

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Union Corner in Glasgow was engulfed by flames on Sunday night

The following closures are in place:

Union Street closed between Drury Street and Argyle Street (vehicular and pedestrian)
Gordon Street closed between Hope Street and West Nile Street (vehicular and pedestrian)
West Nile Street closed between Gordon Street and St Vincent Street (vehicular only)
Mitchell Street closed between Gordon Street and NCP Car Park/Mitchell Lane (vehicular only)

Superintendent Jackie Dunbar said: “We continue to support partners with their response to this significant incident in the city centre.

“I would continue to urge people to be mindful of road closures, plan journeys carefully and to avoid the area if they can.

“I understand local businesses will have concerns, but our guidance is that premises out with the outer cordon area can be accessed and operate as normal.

“Anyone with concerns or questions can approach officers at the scene.”

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First Minister John Swinney, who visited the scene of the fire on Monday morning, said the blaze had caused enormous damage and would lead to significant disruption.

On Tuesday, Swinney committed to support the rebuild of the area, telling MSPs in Holyrood: “We will rebuild, we will restore, and Glasgow will flourish again.”

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said the incident could have been “so much worse” without the actions of fire crews.

‘Significant and complex incident’

SFRS deputy assistant chief officer Ian McMeekin said on Tuesday: “This has been a significant and complex incident, and our crews have worked tirelessly at the scene since the initial call on Sunday afternoon.

Credit: Garry F McHarg Garry F McHarg | Focal Scotland

“This includes limiting further fire damage to nearby buildings, including Glasgow Central train station, and to bring a large-scale fire under control.

“This incident has required significant levels of resource, and we will continue to remain on scene as we move into a recovery phase alongside our multi-agency partners.

“We understand the disruption this fire has caused, and we are grateful for the patience shown by the public as we work to bring this incident to a safe conclusion, before the site is handed over to partner agencies.”