I sat in the street and cried
Boss of O2 ABC is left in shock by the sight that greeted him while the fire was still raging
ONE of the bosses of the O2 ABC yesterday told how he broke down when he saw the damage to the music venue caused by the Glasgow School of Art fire.
Concert promoter Paul Cardow was shocked by the extent of the blaze when he turned up as firefighters fought to stop it raging out of control.
He thinks it will take weeks before the extent of the damage can be assessed – but believes it will reopen one day.
He said: “I arrived at the venue within the first hour of the fire.
“I sat in the street and cried, but it wasn’t until we saw the aerial photograph that we got an idea of just how bad the damage is.
“I am assuming it is going to be pretty horrific. I was there a few hours ago and they are still pouring water into the ABC.
“Nobody knows what happened but I don’t know many buildings that can survive having a roof falling in and 24 hours of high pressure water poured into it.”
Adele, Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars are just some of the stars who have performed at the O2 ABC in recent years.
Paul described the loss of the venue, on Sauchiehall Street in the city centre, as “a blow to the local community”.
He added: “The sad thing is the street was finally getting back on its feet.
“It was being redeveloped and the art school was almost finished and we would have all the students back in the area.
“The ABC is a massive part of the community and a venue that is hard to replace.”
The 143-year-old building, which has been home to an ice rink, a circus and a cinema over the years, could still rise from the ashes.
Paul said: “It won’t be the end of the venue. The venue will eventually reopen.
“At the moment, we are just waiting to hear when. The venue will have to undergo extensive rebuilding but that will happen.”
Musicians lined up to express their upset at the damage caused to the venue.
Glasgow band Glasvegas said: “Gutted to hear about the fire at O2 ABC. I hope someone saved the disco ball.”
Edinburgh-born singer Nina Nesbitt tweeted: “So gutted to hear about the Art School and ABC being caught in a fire... two very important Scottish venues. Sending lots of love.” Frightened Rabbit band members, who have suffered their own loss this year after lead singer Scott
Hutchison died
last month, added: “My heart is breaking reading about the Mackintosh building and the ABC in Glasgow.
“There aren’t enough words to describe the admiration for the ridiculously brave and heroic firefighters of Scotland who do this on a daily basis. Glasgow is hurting but will recover.”
Indie group Honeyblood tweeted: “My heart is in absolute tatters. Not only the school of art but O2 ABC – a place that holds so many memories for me. Glasgow, keep yer chin up.”
Author and rapper Darren “Loki” McGarvey said: “It was a world class music venue, used by thousands of people every month.
“Also a great platform for local artists to get a shot on the big stage supporting international acts. A very special place.”
Still Game actor Gavin Mitchell tweeted: “That beautiful wooden roof. One of my favourite and best venues in Glasgow.
“So many memories, from performing to seeing movies there when I was a kid.”
Billy Bragg said: “Heartbreaking news about the Glasgow School of Art fire. Sorry to see that the O2 ABC was also badly damaged as I’ve had some good gigs there.
“Hope the city doesn’t lose this important music venue.”
Last night’s concert by the unfortunately named Furnace and the Fundamentals was cancelled but tickets were still available on the website for other concerts taking place this month.
Paul, a founding shareholder in the venue, knows there is a long road ahead.
He said: “The ABC has made a big impact on the city.
“It’s a great venue and contributes to a vibrant community. It is the same with the art school which is an amazing place.
“It is not just an incredible building. The actual quality of the school itself is immense. It is heartbreaking.”
The O2 ABC was built in 1875, when it was called The Diorama.
It was transformed into Hubner’s Ice Skating Palace in 1885 and was one of the first buildings in the city to have electricity.
It was renamed the Hippodrome and became home to Hengler’s Circus, and showed moving pictures when the circus was not in town.
After a short spell as a dance hall, in 1929 it became a flagship cinema designed by architect Charles J McNair, with seating for 2359 people.
The much-loved cinema closed in 1999 before being redeveloped as two state-of-the-art music venues, including a 1300 capacity concert hall with the largest disco ball in Europe.
The ABC venue opened its doors in 2005 with a concert from Sum 41 and was renamed the O2 ABC four years later.