A Glasgow hairdresser has given a harrowing account of the moment he was forced to flee his business as it went up in flames, resulting in the total destruction of his salon of five years.
The Terrifying Escape
Joe Diaz, 33, described the terrifying scene when he, his partner, and a client decided to run from the building on Union Street, adjacent to Glasgow Central Station, as thick smoke began to spread rapidly. The fire, which originated in a vape shop on Sunday, quickly escalated, leading to the partial collapse of the structure.
"We were right at the edge of getting out of there in time," Mr Diaz told the Press Association, noting they escaped about ten minutes after the blaze began. He recounted how the first floor became fully engulfed in smoke, creating a truly frightening atmosphere.
Moments of Panic and Relief
As they descended through the building, they encountered "really heavy, dark smoke", prompting Mr Diaz to urge everyone: "Let's just run and get out of here as soon as we can." The client was reportedly paralysed by anxiety during the ordeal, but all three managed to evacuate safely, witnessing smoke pouring from the vape shop as they exited.
Initially, the fire seemed contained, and Mr Diaz left briefly to get a cup of tea. Upon his return, he was met with a heartbreaking sight: the flames had spread uncontrollably, and the building was collapsing. "It was heartbreaking," he expressed, highlighting not just the loss of business assets but also sentimental items with deep emotional value that he kept at work.
Aftermath and Recovery Efforts
Mr Diaz's hair salon was among several businesses that lost their premises in the incident, with many others now behind emergency service cordons. Compounding the tragedy, his business was uninsured, leaving him facing significant financial hardship.
In response, the hairdresser, originally from Chile, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe to help "rebuild our little studio after the fire." The campaign page poignantly states: "Our little studio has burned down, taking with it five years of dreams, hard work, and love."
A Narrow Avoidance of Tragedy
Reflecting on the close call, Mr Diaz noted that by pure chance, he was on the phone looking out into the street when he first saw smoke rising. "Otherwise, we would have been inside the studio with the door closed, just as we usually are," he said, adding that it's impossible not to dwell on what could have happened had they been unaware longer.
The incident underscores the fragility of small businesses and the sudden devastation that fires can bring, leaving entrepreneurs like Mr Diaz to start anew while grappling with both emotional and financial losses.
