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A building yards away from Glasgow Central station has collapsed after a huge fire ripped through it, bringing all train services to a halt.
The fire has sparked chaos for rail passengers and drivers after Scotland’s biggest city came to a standstill.
Glasgow’s Union Street was closed off after the blaze broke out in a building adjacent to Glasgow Central Station.
The dome on that building has now completely collapsed after the fire spread through it.
Four floors of the building are still standing and two firefighters on height appliances are dampening down flames.
The station has been closed 'until further notoice' and evacuated, while traffic was brought to a standstill in the city centre.
Scottish Rail have now confirmed that the station will remain closed until tomorrow morning and that no services would run in or out of the station.
Thick smoke billowed through Glasgow as 12 fire engines, along with police officers and ambulances attended the fire, which is said to have started in a vape shop.
Glasgow ’s Union Street was closed off after the blaze broke out in a building adjacent to Glasgow Central Station
The dome on that building has now completely collapsed after the fire spread through it
The fire has sparked chaos for rail passengers and drivers after Scotland’s biggest city came to a standstill
Fire crews continued to tackle the fire five hours after it began.
MSP for Glasgow Paul Sweeney said that the Forsyth Building, dating back to 1851, had partially collapsed. It now appears the fire has spread throughout the building.
He wrote on X: 'I hope the fire can be contained. 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.'
In a statement at 7.45pm, a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: 'More than 60 firefighters are currently working to tackle a large building fire on Union Street, Glasgow.'
A coffee shop that was based in the building that has collapsed, Sexy Coffee posted on social media: '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.
'However, we want to reassure everyone that this is not the end. We will rebuild, revamp the shop, and reopen as soon as possible.'
The fire had been reported via 999 just before 4pm, and saw several streets closed, including parts of Union Street and St Vincent Street, while the large Voco Grand Central Hotel located inside the train station was evacuated.
Smoke billowed through Glasgow as 12 fire engines, along with police officers and ambulances attended the fire
Scottish Rail have now confirmed that the station will remain closed until tomorrow morning and that no services would run in and out of the station
Among the crowds watching the scene unfold was Yvonne Kelly, 51, from Rutherglen, who said: ‘It’s not something you expect to see. I first realised there was a fire when I was on Buchanan Street, and could see smoke - I was wondering what was going on. When I got closer, I thought, “this is going to cause chaos”.’
Ryan Dawes, 46, who works on Union Street, said he had left the building for a break when he became aware of the fire. ‘I saw people running past looking quite panicked, and a lot of black smoke - it looked quite dramatic.’
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman added: ‘We were alerted at 3.46pm on Sunday, 8 March, to reports of a building fire on Union Street, Glasgow.
‘At its height, 12 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.
'There are no reported casualties, and crews remain at the scene.’
Network Rail said: ‘Glasgow Central Station has been closed until further notice, and will not reopen on Monday morning, following a fire at a vape shop on Union Street this afternoon.
‘Emergency services, including Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, are on site and managing the incident. As a precaution, all services through Glasgow Central have been suspended and passengers are advised to seek alternative travel arrangements.
'We will provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available.'
Police this afternoon warned people to avoid the area if possible, and said residents should keep their windows closed.
Some ticket acceptance is in place, with Avanti West Coast passengers able to use their tickets at no extra cost on LNER services between Edinburgh and London King's Cross.