Fruit market destroyed by huge fire
MORE than 70 firefighters were today tackling a major blaze which ripped through Glasgow’s famous fruit market.
Crews were called to the site in Blochairn Road, Royston, at 3.44am today when a large blaze was discovered.
Explosions from machinery were heard within the warehouse and around 16 fire appliances were on the scene from all over the city.
Black smoke billowed from the fruit market in Glasgow and could be seen across the city.
The roaring fire broke out at Blochairn Fruit Market, which supplies fruit to all over Scotland, and left behind a crumbing building.
No staff or firefighters were injured. Workers at the market were processing orders when the blaze took hold and were quickly evacuated by firefighters.
Fruit worker, Gary Johnstone, who was organising fruit when the fire broke out, said he couldn’t believe how rapidly the fire spread.
He said: “I just heard a bang and started to see smoke, the fire just started within seconds.
“It just tore through the building and spread rapidly. I started to run because of the smoke, and once the fire brigade arrived they were shouting for people to get out.”
The 51-year-old who has worked at the market for seven years said he thought the fire could cost people their jobs.
He added: “It will have a huge knock on effect for the fruit business.
“It could cost jobs, because if we can’t make our order up and get them out, there won’t be any money coming in.”
At the scene, Deputy Assistant Chief Officer John Joyce described the fire as “substantial”.
He said: “This is a substantial fire which has caused extensive damage. There were 16 appliances with roughly 80 personnel deployed.
“Still pockets of fire going, and we are trying to scale it back at the moment, but we will be on the scene until it’s been curtailed and is totally out.”
He added: “This is a landmark building with a lot of people working here. The fire started on a ground floor unit at the far side of the building.”
When asked what could have caused any loud bangs or explosions heard, he said: “They could have been caused by a number of things – pressurised containers or fuel tanks as there are lots of vehicles, forklifts and lorries around.”
A specialist fire investigation team were at the scene to try and determine the cause of the fire.
SFRS said they were supported by Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service and Scottish Water.
THE blaze began as around 400 workers began their shift selling fruit and vegetables to restaurants and bars in Scotland. Employees at the market were safely evacuated.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “We were called at 4am to a report of a fire within a warehouse in Blochairn Road.
“Emergency services are in attendance and no-one has been injured.
“A joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is is under way.”
Employees were scattered all around the cordon and said they had no idea if or when they would get access to their workplace.
The Evening Times understands that one of the main employers sent a text message to staff saying’ “stand by”.
One worker, who was evacuated, said that he has been there since the early hours of the morning.
He said: “The fire alarm went off and we all left what we were doing.
“Next thing we knew one of the stands was up in flames.”
The fruit market has almost 40 individual stands owned by different businesses.
Many of the market’s clients would have got access to the produce prior to the fire.
But those who came after were turned away as firefighters continue to battle the blaze which shows no signs of slowing down.
The power has also been shut off at the site as a precaution.
A spokesman for City Property, the city council organisation which runs the Fruitmarket, said: “Our markets team are on site to support both our traders and emergency services. We are hugely relieved that at this stage it appears no-one has been injured and we have contacted all of our traders to check their staff are safe.
“We would like to thank the emergency services for their quick response. Our priority now is to establish alternative arrangements in order that normal business can resume as soon as possible.
“Plans are now progressing to put temporary measures into place to assist our tenants as best as we possibly can.
“We will provide further updates as and when they become available.”