A historic Glasgow building that stood for more than 170 years has been severely damaged in a major city centre fire.
The B-listed Forsyth Building, known locally as Union Corner, sits at the junction of Union Street and Gordon Street.
Dating back to 1851, the striking building predates nearby Glasgow Central Station, which did not open until 1879.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after the fire broke out, with police cordoning off Union Street between Gordon Street and St Vincent Street.
Traffic diversions were put in place while firefighters battled the blaze, and members of the public were urged to avoid the area. Residents nearby were also advised to keep their windows closed as crews worked to bring the fire under control.
At its height, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service deployed 18 fire appliances along with specialist resources, including three high-reach vehicles and a water rescue team.
“Firefighters continue to work to extinguish a large building fire on Union Street, Glasgow.
At its height, 18 fire appliances and specialist resources, including three high-reach vehicles and a water rescue team, were mobilised to the area.
There are no reported casualties, and crews remain at the scene.”
The beautiful Forsyth building has stood at Union Corner since the mid-19th century.
It survived the Victorian era.
It survived two World Wars and the Clydebank Blitz.
It even endured more than a century of dramatic redevelopment in Glasgow’s city centre.
But the building is believed to have been devastated after lithium batteries reportedly exploded inside a ground-floor vape shop, sparking the blaze that tore through the historic structure.
Paisley Photographs 