Huge fire at Glasgow Central Station prompts evacuations as building collapses

24 minutes ago Jonathan Geddes ,Glasgow and west reporterand Mary McCool ,BBC Scotland A huge blaze engulfed a building at Glasgow Central Station on Sunday causing it to partially collapse. The fire started in a vape shop on Union Street on Sunday afternoon, with the B-listed Victorian building collapsing several hours later as flames spread.

All train services at Glasgow Central, Scotland's busiest station, are expected to be cancelled until at least the end of Monday.

National Rail said there was "no estimate on when the station will reopen".

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service urged people to avoid the area as crews continued to battle the blaze at 05:00 GMT, more than 13 hours after firefighters were first alerted.

No injuries have been reported. Following a meeting at midnight, Network Rail said: "As things stand we've not identified any significant damage to the station. We'll get this fully assessed at first light. "

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said more than 60 firefighters and 15 vehicles were in attendance at the scene.

Six crews were initially sent to the scene on Union Street at about 15:45 local time, but the fire worsened into the evening.

Smoke had initially been seen billowing out of the building next to an entrance to the station.

However within hours flames could be seen, with eyewitnesses describing it on social media as looking "catastrophic".

BBC Scotland staff at the scene described seeing the dome on the corner of the building falling in during the inferno. They added that four floors of the building appeared to still be standing, with embers of the blaze visible inside them. The Sexy Coffee shop, based in the building, posted that it had been destroyed.

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

"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 owner of the Willow hair salon posted saying that her business had been burned to the ground as a result of the blaze. The Voco Grand Central Hotel at the station has been evacuated, with everyone moved to another hotel in the city. First Minister John Swinney said he was "deeply concerned" by the scenes and urged people to follow the advice of the emergency services.

The station will not reopen on Monday morning.

No ScotRail services will operate to or from the high level and services will not call at the low level but will pass through the station to stop at Argyle Street and Anderson on Monday.

There will also be limited replacement transport available.

ScotRail will update passengers on social media, on its website and on its app.

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said: "We are sorry to customers for the impact this will cause, and we would urge them to check their journey options before they travel. "

Avanti West Coast said passengers will be able to use their tickets at no extra cost on LNER services between Edinburgh and London King's Cross.

TransPennine Express said its services between Glasgow Central and Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Airport will not run on Monday and there will not be any rail replacement buses.

The building known as Union Corner - at the junction of Union Street and Gordon Street - dates back to 1851.

It pre-dates the station itself which opened in 1879.

Police cordoned off the street between Gordon Street and St Vincent Street when the fire started. Diversions have been put in place. People have been urged to avoid the area and police have advised residents to keep their windows closed.

In a statement issued at 22:30 local time, a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Firefighters continue to work to extinguish a large building fire on Union Street, Glasgow