Vape Shop Blaze Collapses Building, Shuts Glasgow Central and Halts Train Services

A large fire began on Sunday afternoon in a vape shop on Union Street next to Glasgow Central station.

“The building, which dates to 1851, collapsed as it burned through the night, leaving only the facade standing”

ABC

The fire quickly spread, causing part of an adjacent historic building to collapse and forcing the terminus to close.

ABC

Multiple outlets reported the blaze started in a vape or e-cigarette shop and that the partial collapse damaged an 1851 Victorian-era structure.

National Rail said the station will remain closed and dozens of train services were cancelled, with no casualties reported.

Fire crews mounted a substantial response to the blaze, deploying dozens of appliances, specialist vehicles and large firefighting teams as they battled flames that threatened the station and caused structural collapse.

Local and national reports described between 15 and 18 appliances and around 60 firefighters on scene, with multiple high-reach vehicles, water-rescue teams and specialist resources involved.

BBC News

Crews were still damping down into the next day as smoke continued to billow.

The incident caused widespread rail disruption: Glasgow Central’s high-level platforms were suspended and many services were cancelled or diverted, with operators putting ticket-acceptance and amended service arrangements in place while passengers were advised not to travel.

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Chronicle Live

Multiple transport outlets and RailAdvent noted that all services to/from the high level were suspended and that low-level trains would not call at the station, while operators including Avanti West Coast, ScotRail and TransPennine Express offered alternative ticketing and amended timetables amid an indeterminate closure.

Local businesses and neighbouring premises suffered heavy damage and were evacuated.

Several ground-floor traders reported destruction or severe damage and large parts of the city centre were cordoned off.

Clydebank Post

Reportedly affected businesses included Sexy Coffee, Subway, Paddy Power and Blue Lagoon.

Hotels and other nearby premises were evacuated, and stretches of road were closed to allow water-feeding from the River Clyde.

Residents were warned to keep windows closed because of thick smoke.

Authorities said there were no reported casualties and that investigations and recovery work would follow.

“We will update our information as soon as we can”

Daily Express

Officials warned disruption could last into the following day and said investigators would examine possible ignition sources amid some early speculation.

Daily Express

Scottish fire crews described the fire as under control but not fully extinguished the next morning.

The First Minister voiced concern and thanked emergency teams.

Outlets cautioned that dramatic online videos included misleading or AI-generated material.