Major Fire Erupts Near Glasgow Central Station
A devastating fire that began in a vape shop has completely gutted a historic four-storey Victorian building adjacent to Glasgow Central Station, causing extensive travel chaos across Scotland's largest city. Emergency services were first alerted to the blaze at 3:46 PM on Sunday, responding to reports of fire on the ground floor of the commercial property located at the corner of Union Street and Gordon Street.
Rapid Escalation and Structural Collapse
The fire rapidly intensified, spreading around the building's corner and advancing toward the main entrance of Glasgow Central Station as thick black smoke filled the evening sky. Dramatic footage captured the inferno raging through the historic structure, ultimately causing the building's distinctive dome roof to collapse inward upon itself. At the height of the emergency, eighteen fire appliances and specialist resources were deployed to combat the flames, with nine appliances remaining on site through Monday morning.
Social media videos revealed the fire's initial moments, showing a plume of black smoke streaming from the vape shop before the blaze consumed the entire building. Witnesses captured two men ushering people away from the burning premises while another individual attempted to fight the flames with a domestic fire extinguisher. Loud explosions were heard from within the shop as the fire intensified.
Historic Building Destroyed
The four-storey Victorian structure, designed by architect James Brown of the firm Brown & Carrick and constructed in 1851, predated Glasgow Central Station itself. By Monday morning, only the building's facade remained standing at the Gordon Street and Union Street intersection. Fire crews utilized aerial platforms to hose water onto the smoldering remains as smoke continued to linger in the air.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed there were no reported casualties from the incident. A spokesperson stated: "We were alerted at 3:46pm on Sunday to reports of a fire affecting the ground floor of a four-storey commercial building on Union Street, Glasgow. The incident has since been scaled back and nine appliances, including three high-reach vehicles, remain in attendance."
Businesses Devastated and Travel Chaos
Multiple businesses operating within the building were completely destroyed, including Subway, Paddypower, charity shop Shelter Scotland, Sexy Coffee cafe, Blue Lagoon Fish and Chips, and several other enterprises. Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney compared the devastation to "something out of the Blitz," expressing concern about the building's remaining structural viability.
The fire's proximity to Glasgow Central Station forced the immediate evacuation and closure of the transport hub, sparking widespread travel disruption across the city. National Rail confirmed the station would remain closed with "no estimate on when the station will reopen." All journeys scheduled to arrive, depart, or travel through Glasgow Central were either cancelled or revised, with limited replacement services implemented.
Business Owners Respond
Several affected business owners have established GoFundMe campaigns to recover from their losses. Sam Hendry, owner of luxury makeup studio Samuse Studio, has raised nearly £5,000 after losing all professional equipment and personal items. Lucky in Love Tattoo parlour has collected almost £10,000 to replace supplies for their nine artists, while Willow Hair Salon confirmed their complete destruction on social media.
Sexy Coffee cafe posted: "We are absolutely devastated to confirm that the shop has sadly been destroyed in the fire. It is heartbreaking for us and our team. However, we want to reassure everyone that this is not the end. We will rebuild, revamp the shop, and reopen as soon as possible."
Transport Network Severely Impacted
Network Rail announced continued disruption to routes through Glasgow Central until at least the end of Monday. No trains will operate to or from the station's high-level platforms, while services passing through low-level platforms will not stop at Glasgow Central. Avanti West Coast, ScotRail, and TransPennine Express all implemented significant service alterations and cancellations.
ScotRail service delivery director Mark Ilderton apologized to customers, stating: "We are sorry to customers for the impact this will cause, and we would urge them to check their journey options before they travel, and be aware there will be very limited replacement transport."
Building Ownership and Historical Significance
According to title deeds reviewed by the Daily Mail, the building is owned by Afton Estates Limited, which purchased the property for £540,000 in 2008. Companies House documents list Michael and Kenna Tasker as directors of the firm. The structure had previously housed The Money Shop and Wimpy before becoming a vape shop.
MSP Paul Sweeney expressed his distress on social media, writing: "It's a massive blow to Union Street with the restoration of the Egyptian Halls in prospect." He told BBC Radio Scotland's Breakfast programme that building control officers held little hope for the structure's preservation, suggesting the remaining Gordon Street facade would likely require demolition.
