Massive fire destroys historic Forsyth Building and shuts down Glasgow Central Station causing travel chaos in Glasgow

Panic spread through the heart of Glasgow on Sunday afternoon after a massive fire erupted in a building just steps away from the busy Glasgow Central Station.

The blaze quickly escalated, sending thick plumes of smoke across the city skyline and forcing the closure of Scotland’s busiest railway hub.

Within hours, the situation worsened when part of the building’s dome structure collapsed as flames tore through the property on Union Street.

The sudden emergency brought rail travel to a complete halt and caused major disruption throughout the city centre.

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Historic Forsyth Building Partially Collapses

The building affected by the fire has been identified as the historic Forsyth Building, a structure that dates back to 1851.

According to local politician Paul Sweeney, the corner of the historic building partially collapsed as firefighters battled the blaze.

Despite the dramatic scenes, nearby landmarks—including the Caledonian Chambers and the Voco Grand Central Hotel—appeared to avoid serious structural damage.

However, the destruction has dealt a significant blow to Union Street, which has already been undergoing long-term regeneration efforts.

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Firefighters Battle Flames as Smoke Fills the City

Emergency services were alerted shortly before 4pm after reports of flames emerging from the ground floor of a four-storey building.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service mobilised a major response.

At the height of the operation, more than 60 firefighters and 12 fire engines were deployed to contain the fire.

Crews continued working well into the evening to bring the flames under control while using height appliances to dampen down hotspots.

Authorities believe the blaze may have started inside a vape shop located on the ground floor of the building, although investigations are ongoing.

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Train Services Suspended and Station Evacuated

The proximity of the fire to Glasgow Central Station forced transport authorities to act quickly.

Network Rail confirmed the station had been evacuated and would remain closed until at least the following morning as a safety precaution.

All train services in and out of the station were suspended, leaving thousands of passengers scrambling to find alternative routes.

Meanwhile, Avanti West Coast allowed passengers to use tickets on other services, including trains run by London North Eastern Railway between Edinburgh and London.

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Witnesses Describe Dramatic Scenes

People in the area quickly realised something serious was unfolding as black smoke drifted across the city centre.

Yvonne Kelly, a 51-year-old from nearby Rutherglen, said she noticed the smoke while walking along Buchanan Street.

She described watching crowds gather as emergency vehicles flooded the area.

Another witness, Ryan Dawes, who works on Union Street, said he saw people rushing away from the scene while smoke filled the air.

“It looked really dramatic,” he said, recalling how quickly the situation escalated.

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Local Business Destroyed by the Blaze

One of the most immediate casualties of the fire was a popular café located inside the damaged building.

The owners of Sexy Coffee confirmed their premises had been completely destroyed.

In a message posted online, the business said the loss was devastating for the team but promised the shop would eventually reopen.

Despite the setback, they vowed to rebuild and continue serving customers once the area recovers.

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Impact and Consequences

The fire has had a ripple effect across Glasgow and beyond.

Transport disruption:
The closure of Glasgow Central Station halted one of the UK’s busiest rail networks, affecting commuters, long-distance travellers, and tourists.

Economic damage:
Local businesses on Union Street suffered closures and potential financial losses as emergency cordons shut down surrounding streets.

Urban heritage concerns:
Damage to the historic Forsyth Building raises questions about the preservation of Glasgow’s 19th-century architecture.

Public safety measures:
Authorities advised residents to keep windows closed due to smoke drifting through nearby neighbourhoods.

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What’s Next

Investigators will now focus on determining the exact cause of the fire.

Officials from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland are expected to conduct a full structural assessment of the damaged building before reopening the area.

Rail authorities are also working to restore train services safely once engineers confirm there is no risk to the railway infrastructure.

Meanwhile, city leaders will likely assess how the destruction could affect ongoing regeneration plans for Union Street.

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Summary

A major fire near Glasgow Central Station triggered widespread disruption in the city after flames tore through a historic building on Union Street.

The blaze caused part of the structure to collapse and forced the evacuation and closure of Scotland’s busiest railway station.

Although no injuries have been reported, the incident has affected transport networks, local businesses, and parts of Glasgow’s historic streetscape.

Emergency crews managed to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby landmarks, but the aftermath will likely be felt across the city for days.

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Bulleted Takeaways

• A major fire erupted in a building near Glasgow Central Station on Union Street

• The historic Forsyth Building partially collapsed during the blaze

• Over 60 firefighters and 12 fire engines were deployed to fight the flames

• Glasgow Central Station was evacuated and rail services suspended

• The fire is believed to have started in a vape shop on the ground floor

• No casualties have been reported so far

• Local business Sexy Coffee confirmed its premises were destroyed

• Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the fire