NO-GO ZONE
Blaze-hit street to stay shut for THREE months
IT COULD be three months before the demolition of Sauchiehall Street’s fire-ravaged buildings is complete – even longer than first feared.
The buildings are deteriorating and there is concern about their stability, it emerged.
THE demolition of Sauchiehall Street’s fire-damaged buildings is to take longer than first feared.
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken confirmed the news to councillors yesterday.
Early estimates suggested that the work would take up to two months but cllr Aitken admitted that has now been extended to three months after concerns over continuing the stability of the damaged structures.
She said: “There’s a significant section of Sauchiehall Street which does need to be demolished.
“It is important to point out that the demolition operation in itself can pose a danger to the public.
“The initial estimate was two months, but the period of demolition is in the hands of the demolition company rather than council.
“Council officers are being guided by the demolition experts in terms of how long that is going to take.
“The stability of the damaged structures is continuing to deteriorate. It is now estimated that there will be a 10 to 12 weeks demolition period.”
The local authority leader said that the new estimate arose on Wednesday with preparatory work having commenced yesterday.
An exclusion zone around the surrounding areas, including parts of Renfield Street at Hope Street, will be in place during the demolition period.
Contractors have been gathering information about the site, with cranes arriving at the site this morning.
Security staff, demolition contractors, City Property officers and utility providers have been monitoring the buildings round the clock.
Cllr Aitken also insisted that she wanted to turn Sauchiehall Street i nto “something special”.
But she slapped down suggestions that money could easily be taken from the City Deal to help regenerate the fire-damaged area.
She said: “There’s the work further west in Sauchiehall Street which is covered by City Deal.
“There are perhaps some misconceptions that we can just dip in and take money out of City Deal. There are strict rules about how we use that money.”
She also paid tribute to the emergency services and other staff who played their part in
battling the fire and helping those affected.
Cllr Aitken added: “It was obviously an enormous shock to everybody seeing a part of our famous street up in flames.
“We were very lucky and the whole city is extremely thankful that there was no loss of life.
“There were four people treated for minor injuries and one didn’t have to go to hospital.
“It was a magnificent response to a shocking incident.”
More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze, which started on the upper floors of
The whole city is extremely thankful that there was no loss of life
Victoria’s Nightclub last month. As previously revealed by the Evening Times, police and fire chiefs admitted that finding the cause of the inferno is unlikely, with the chances of examining a potential crime scene low.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service area commander, James Hymas, told how firefighters were pulled out of the nightclub after flames burst through the floorboards, shortly after entering. Mr Hymas, said: “The whole likelihood is that we won’t get a cause for it.
“The building was secure therefore we have to identify those who were last in the building, what they were doing and what they saw before they left.”
Chief Superintendent for Glasgow, Brian McInulty, added: “I think as a crime scene we’re not going to get anything.
“The bravery of those fire officers is something that will live long in the memory. I think it was a real credit to all the partners across the board who responded to that.
“One of the things that really struck me walking about was the public response and the response of local businesses. People were out with coffees and refreshments. It’s my intention to write to them.” Meanwhile the Pavilion Theatre is beginning to refund customers for some shows – after bosses admitted they do not know when they will be up and running again.
In a statement, they said: “Hopefully, as things progress and potential demolition of the dangerous buildings on Sauchiehall Street is carried out, this will eventually give us access to the theatre.”
“We hope to release information on these shows as soon as possible so please keep an eye out on your emails or our social media channels, where any updates will be posted first.”