Work has commenced to demolish a Victorian building near Glasgow Central station that was severely damaged by a fire earlier this week. Glasgow City Council stated that the demolition is necessary for public safety, as the structure has continued to collapse since the blaze began on Sunday afternoon.
The fire started in a vape shop on Union Street and spread through the building, leaving only the facade at the junction with Gordon Street standing. The incident forced the closure of Glasgow Central, Scotland's busiest railway station, which remains shut for the main part at least until March 18.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service handed over control of the site to the council on Thursday. A council spokesperson said: 'We are now in control of the Union Street site, and after a full and final assessment of the remaining structure our Building Standards team have decided that demolition must happen in the interests of public safety.'
Demolition vehicles arrived on Friday, with workers seen dismantling a chimney stack on a neighbouring building using a crane-suspended cage. Network Rail reported that no significant structural issues have been identified at the station, with damage mainly due to water ingress confined to a small office and part of the glazed area above.
Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said: 'Our teams are prepared to carry out the detailed inspections, cleaning, repairs and operational checks that may be required, depending on the findings of the local authority’s assessment. We’re committed to completing this work as quickly and safely as possible once the station is returned to us.'
At the height of the incident, 18 fire appliances were deployed. Assistant chief officer Jon Henderson praised the response, noting that no firefighters or members of the public were injured and that iconic buildings nearby were protected.
