Glasgow block set to be torn down after massive blaze
● Building cannot be saved after fire continued to burn for three days
A Glasgow city centre block that was ravaged in a major fire over the past few days is to be torn down on safety grounds.
More than 120 firefighters were at the scene on Sauchiehall Street at the height of the blaze, tackling an inferno that began in the roof of the building that houses Victoria’s nightclub on Thursday morning.
Smoke billowed across the city centre and streets were cordoned off as fire crews fought the flames.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it was one of the biggest incidents it has ever had to deal with.
Pockets of flames had continued to burn within the block for three days after the fire originally broke out, with four fire engines and 20 officers remaining at the scene over the weekend to damp down the site.
Now Glasgow City Council has said the building is too badly damaged to be repaired, with demolition expected to be carried out over the next two months.
The properties affected are 92 to 106 Sauchiehall Street – from The Works stationery shop to Savers, at the junction with Hope Street.
The council said it has met the building owners, and shops in the block – also including Greggs, Specsavers and Victoria’s nightclub – are dealing with insurers.
A council spokeswoman
0 Firefighters have been working on the site since Thursday said: “An exclusion zone has been erected around the site of the dangerous buildings, which will be demolished as they cannot be saved.
“We have met with the owners of buildings affected by the fire, and will maintain this dialogue over the period.
“The owners of properties in the buildings to be demolished have met with insurers to discuss the next steps.”
The council also warned that some roads and footpaths are likely to remain cordoned off for a “considerable” length of time to allow demolition work to be carried out safely.
No-one was injured in the incident but shows at the Pavilion Theatre and nearby Theatre Royal have been cancelled due to smoke damage.
Staff at the Pavilion thanked emergency services for saving the “grand old lady” of Renfield Street, close to the blaze.
A spokesperson for the theatre said late yesterday they had been informed that staff would not be allowed to access the theatre for eight weeks during the demolition work, and so could not ascertain the extent of the damage to the historic building. They added that an announcement about scheduled shows would probably be issued today.