Fire shuts Scotland's busiest train station for at least two days

A fire at a vape shop has forced the closure of Scotland's busiest railway station for at least two days, Network Rail has said.

Dozens of trains were cancelled on Sunday after a four-storey building in Union Street, close to Glasgow Central Station, caught fire.

The building has partially collapsed, and the station will not reopen this morning.

Network Rail said the fire has been brought under control.

Several businesses said on Monday their sites have been "destroyed", while a local MSP added the damage "looks like something out of the Blitz".

A spokesperson for Network Rail said on Monday: "Glasgow Central Station remains closed following the fire in a building on Union Street on Sunday.

"While the fire is now under control, emergency services are still on site and we continue to support their response.

"The station will remain closed today and likely tomorrow. Timescales for reopening will only be confirmed once we are able to safely gain access and carry out the necessary checks.

"All services to and from Glasgow Central are currently suspended, and passengers should continue to follow alternative travel arrangements as advised by their train operators.

"We will provide further updates as soon as more information is available."

ScotRail said on its website that 15 of its 36 routes have been disrupted over the incident, with no trains calling at Glasgow Central.

First Minister John Swinney said in a post on X: "I am deeply concerned about the fire near Glasgow Central Station tonight, and very grateful to all of the emergency services who are responding.

"Please continue to follow travel guidance, avoid the area and stay safe."

'Something out of the Blitz'

Paul Sweeney, Labour MSP for Glasgow, said on X that the building - which he notes dates back to 1851 - had partially collapsed.

"I hope the fire can be contained", he added on Sunday night. "The corner of the Forsyth Building, as well as the Caledonian Chambers and Central Hotel seem unaffected.

"It's a massive blow to Union Street with the restoration of the Egyptian Halls in prospect."

On Monday morning, Mr Sweeney told BBC Radio Scotland the damage "looks like something out of the Blitz" and that there are now concerns the remainder of the building will not be viable.

"There's the cafe, there's the Blue Lagoon (fish and chip shop), of course, which is famous for many Glaswegians. It's been completely wiped out, destroyed.

"I mean the building is a gutted shell... I spoke to building control officers last night on site. They don't have much hope that the building can be saved at all.

Businesses close after site 'destroyed'

In a statement on Instagram, a shop called Sexy Coffee said its business, located inside the building, had been destroyed.

"We are absolutely devastated to confirm that the shop has sadly been destroyed in the fire," the statement said.

"It is heartbreaking for us and our team, especially after the support and loyalty we have received from so many of you over the years."

The shop added "this is not the end", and said: "We will rebuild, revamp the shop, and reopen as soon as possible.

"In the meantime, our Argyle Street branch remains open, and we would love to welcome you there.

"Thank you to all of our amazing customers for your continued support. It truly means everything to us.

The owner of Willow Hair Salon confirmed on social media that "it looks like our entire building has been burnt to the ground" after the fire on Sunday.

Annabel said that the fire ripped through the back of the building - "it's f***ed basically, the whole thing", she added - before saying all her appointments for the week are cancelled.

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A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said it was alerted at 3.46pm to reports of a building fire on Union Street.

"At its height, nine fire appliances and specialist resources were mobilised to the area, where firefighters are currently working to extinguish a fire affecting the ground floor of a four-storey building", the fire service said on Sunday.

In an update at 6am, a spokesperson said: "The incident has since been scaled back and nine appliances, including three high-reach vehicles, remain in attendance.

"There are no reported casualties, and crews remain at the scene."

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