‘Volcano’ conditions for GSA firefighters

Firefighters who tackled the Glasgow School of Art blaze have told of battling “volcano” like conditions which left some on their hands and knees.

Ewen Macsween, whose bravery during the inferno was hailed around the world, said it was overwhelming – taking crews days to recover from the exhausting heat.

Mr Macsween, 42, was seen getting as close to the fire as possible in dramatic scenes as the GSA’S Mackintosh building burned.

He was paired up with Barry Wood, 43, in a team that pumped thousands of gallons of water into the burning landmark from a 60ft aerial platform.

Their crew from Springburn fire station first thought they were racing to a false alarm when they got the call.

The firefighters told how the flames surged so high that they were forced to retreat on their aerial rescue platform.

It took them days to recover from a gruelling 10-hour shift at the ferocious blaze.

Mr Macsween said it was the toughest in his 13-year career.

He said: “We all thought there was a mistake when we were told it was the School of Art.

“But when we made our way there, the skyline was lit up. It was incredible.

“We could only spend a maximum of 30 minutes in the cage. The heat was so intense.

“It’s the hottest temperatures I’ve ever experienced. It felt like we were battling a volcano.

“We were as close as we could be because the appliances would have melted.

“It was an incredible effort. There were 120 men and by the end some were virtually on their hands and knees. They were black, filthy and soaking.”

Picture: Getty Images. Glasgow School of Art well alight.