Devastating Glasgow city centre blaze was like battling ‘a blowtorch’ says fire chief

● More than 100 firefighters tackle city centre nightclub fire ● Dozens of buildings evacuated over asbestos smoke fears

Firefighters are set to be on the scene of a major blaze in Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street for days after battling for hours yesterday to bring it under control. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service chief officer Alasdair Hay said the fire, which consumed Victoria’s nightclub, was ‘incredibly complex’ and ‘like a blowtorch’. It was one of the largest the single service has had to deal with.

Firefighters are expected to remain at the scene of a major fire for days after the blaze ripped through a building on one of Glasgow’s busiest streets yesterday.

The fire, believed to have started in roof space above Victoria’s nightclub in the city’s Sauchiehall Street, was tackled by more than 100 fire fighters.

At one stage there were fears that flames could engulf the neighbouring 114-year-old Pavilion Theatre.

Plumes of acrid smoke were seen billowing into the air as dozens of city centre buildings were evacuated amid fears over smoke inhalation and possible asbestos fumes.

The blaze was described as one of the most technical and challenging the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has faced.

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay said: “It was a really complicated fire with an extensive fire spread, spreading across a number of older tenement-style buildings.

“I am delighted to say we have managed to contain it within the block that was affected and more importantly we have managed to protect and save some iconic premises round about, most notably the Pavilion Theatre.

“I can’t tell you how relieved I am no-one was injured.”

He added that firefighters would be on scene for “several days”.

Emergency services were called at 8:18am. As firefighters began to tackle the blaze, police acted quickly to cordon off nearby streets and evacuate offices, banks, pubs, cafes and shops.

Hope Street was closed to all traffic between Bath Street and Renfrew Street, with Renfield Street also closed between Renfrew Street and Bath Street.

Iain Gordon, general manager of the theatre, who took the decision to cancel the show scheduled for last night, said the biggest problem after the fire would be the smoke damage because it had gone into the side of the building.

Mr Gordon added: “The building has been there for a long time and is a major part of Glasgow.”

A spokesperson for the theatre later thanked the public for their words of support, adding that the only damage to the building will be smoke-related and to the front doors, which the firefighters forced open.

A post from the theatre on social media read: “Police Scotland have informed us that they and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service are likely to be on site for the next two to three days.

“They will be spraying the side of the theatre with water to keep the temperature down from the opposite fire. Please do not panic that the theatre is on fire if you see pictures on social media of this happening.”

Scottish Opera said last night’s performance of Ariadne auf Naxos at the Theatre Royal Glasgow also had to be called off.

General director Alex Reedijk said: “Unfortunately, the theatre sits directly downwind from the nearby fire on Sauchiehall Street and has been affected by smoke.”

“It was a complicated fire, spreading across a number of older tenement buildings. We have managed to protect the Pavilion Theatre”

LEWIS RAMSAY

Assistant Chief Fire Officer