GLASGOW, Scotland — Glasgow Central, Scotland’s biggest train station, remained closed Monday after a major fire tore through a neighboring 19th-century building off Union Street, causing a partial dome collapse and leaving only the facade of the corner property at Gordon Street and Union Street standing. No injuries have been reported, but officials said the closure is likely to continue until Wednesday, disrupting thousands of journeys in and out of the city center.
The blaze broke out Sunday night in a building adjacent to the station. Hotels nearby were evacuated and surrounding roads were sealed off as fire crews fought the flames through the night. Authorities believe the fire began in a vape shop on Union Street before spreading through the structure and into the portion fronting Gordon Street. By Monday morning, extensive internal damage was visible and parts of the upper structure had failed.
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the incident drew a significant deployment. “This has been a significant incident in Glasgow city centre, which has involved hundreds of firefighters working tirelessly since yesterday afternoon,” a spokesperson said. “We have now scaled back and eight appliances, including three high-reach vehicles, remain in attendance.” Fire crews also pumped water from the River Clyde to help contain and cool the blaze.
Network Rail, which manages the station, said emergency services remain on site and that structural and safety assessments must be completed before trains can run again. “Glasgow Central Station remains closed following the fire in a building on Union Street on Sunday,” a spokesperson said. “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.” The operator added: “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.”
The shutdown at Glasgow Central — a major artery for intercity and commuter services — triggered extensive disruption across the network, with knock-on effects expected into midweek. Authorities did not immediately say when cordons around Union Street and Gordon Street would be lifted.
At the police cordon, onlookers described shock at the scale of the destruction. “It’s just so sad. It’s such an iconic building. It’s so sad,” said Emma Reid, from Glasgow. Rumaisah Imrane, originally from the city but now living in Edinburgh, said, “It’s terrifying, it looks like the whole building is just gone. It’s such a beautiful part of the city and Central Station is such a lovely building.”
Carolyn Bowie paused to watch as her son, a firefighter, worked to douse remaining hot spots. “It’s devastating and a big blow for Glasgow,” she said.
Paul Sweeney, a Labour member of the Scottish Parliament who visited the scene, said some of the building’s elevation appears to have survived the flames and expressed hope that a reinstatement might be possible rather than a full rebuild. Conservation and engineering assessments will determine whether the historic structure can be stabilized and restored.
Officials urged the public to avoid the area and to monitor updates from train operators and Network Rail. With structural checks ongoing and emergency teams still in attendance, the city’s rail hub is expected to remain shut through at least Tuesday, with a potential reopening on Wednesday if safety inspections allow.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
