Bosses at art school blank key questions
The Glasgow School of Art refused to answer four key questions about the fire at the Mackintosh building.
The Sunday Mail asked whether overnight security guards were in the premises, if fire certificates had been granted and what safety devices were in place.
We also asked whether the structure was fully insured.
But a spokeswoman responded: “The GSA can’t disclose any information relating to the investigations being carried out by Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Health and Safety Executive.”
The landmark was almost completely destroyed in the blaze last weekend. It happened while contractors Kier Construction were in the final stages of a £35million rebuild after another fire in 2014.
Labour MP Paul Sweeney, who is also a director of the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, has criticised “sloppy management” of the project.
He revealed claims a warden was in a cabin outside the building, a sprinkler system had not been fully commissioned and a fire alarm may not have worked. The MP added: “It appears someone on the street initially spotted the fire.”
Kier Construction said “an agreed fire safety strategy” had been implemented. The spokeswoman added: “These included a smoke and heat detection system, as well as 24-hour security and fire warden patrols.
“We continue to work with and support Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and our client as they determine the next steps for the building.”
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken has said remaining art school walls had moved six inches in places as a result of the fire.