Fire guts Scotland's iconic 'Glasgow School of Art'
One of Scotland's most iconic buildings, Glasgow School of Art, has been gutted in a major fire, nearly four years after it was partially destroyed by a smaller blaze. More than 120 firefighters and 20 fire engines sped to the scene. The building was designed by celebrated architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. No casualties have been reported, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said. Here's more.
Fire spreads to several properties, causing extensive damage
The blaze spread to nearby buildings, including the Campus nightclub and O2 ABC music venue, which suffered "extensive damage". All nearby properties were evacuated. Efforts to bring the fire under control are expected to be "prolonged", Deputy Chief Officer Iain Bushell said. He said, "This is an extremely challenging and complex incident, but the response and professionalism of our firefighters have been exceptional."
Buidlings surrounding the school were packed on Friday night
The School of Art is located in a busy area of the city, one that is popular with students and tourists. It is surrounded by bars and nightlife spots which were packed on Friday night. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Twitter, "Once again, we are indebted to the bravery of our firefighters and other emergency services."
Here is the tweet by Scottish First Minister
Building was earlier damaged by fire in 2014
The building was undergoing restoration after being damaged by a fire in May 2014. The building, built between 1897 and 1909, was due to reopen in 2019. The restoration project was set to cost between £20 million and £35 million. But the "extensive" fire is reported to have spread to all floors of the building, including the multi-million-pound restoration work.
