VIDEO Huge fire near Glasgow Central Station. A building collapsed / Major train disruptions
Dozens of trains were canceled and Glasgow Central Station, Scotland's busiest station, was closed after a major fire broke out in an electronic cigarette shop on Union Street on Sunday, the BBC reports.
The fire broke out at around 15:45 local time at the cigarette shop on Union Street, but worsened by the evening.
The flames engulfed the B-rated Victorian building, which collapsed a few hours later.
Initially, smoke was seen coming from the building near the station entrance.
However, within a few hours, flames could be seen, and eyewitnesses described the scene as “catastrophic” on social networks.
As of Monday morning, the fire was under control and no casualties were reported.
A BBC Scotland team at the scene described how they saw the dome in the corner of the building collapse during the fire. Journalists reported that four floors of the building appeared to be still standing, with fire still visible within them.
Water has been pumped from the River Clyde to douse the flames, but the fire has taken hold of the Victorian buildings.
Follow along live: https://t.co/zMUAcQvDV9 pic.twitter.com/cUgoK8Uqsd
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) March 8, 2026
All train runs, cancelled
All rail services to or from the upper level of the station have been canceled and National Rail has announced that the station will remain closed until further notice. National Rail expects disruption to rail traffic to continue until the end of Monday.
No ScotRail trains will run to or from the upper level and trains will not stop at the lower level but will cross the station to stop at Argyle Street and Anderson on Monday.
Limited alternative transportation will also be available. ScotRail will inform passengers on social media, on its website and in its app.
A hotel was evacuated
The Voco Grand Central Hotel in the train station was evacuated, and all the people staying were moved to another hotel in the city.
During the fire, scores of people gathered at the edge of the cordon on Renfield Street and Gordon Street to watch the flames as emergency services urged people to move away.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service announced that more than 60 firefighters and 15 vehicles responded to the scene.
Prime Minister John Swinney said he was “deeply concerned” by the scenes he witnessed and urged people to follow the advice of emergency services.
🚨 UPDATE: Glasgow Central Station closed after city center blaze
More than 60 firefighters are battling a major fire on Union Street in Glasgow city center, hours after the blaze was first reported on Sunday afternoon.
The fire broke out in a four-storey commercial building… pic.twitter.com/8I2ChQVHkM
— Stef Spode (@StefSpodeUK) March 8, 2026
