A huge fire took hold at Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh building on Friday evening.
The city centre was in lock down as a result of the “major” blaze, which was reported late in the evening and raged into Saturday morning.
More than 60 firefighters were sent to the scene.
It comes four years after the same building was destroyed by a fire in May 2014.
A major restoration project had been under way to bring the building, designed by renowned architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, back to its former glory.
Neighbouring buildings were evacuated and a huge cloud of smoke could be seen for miles around the city.
The blaze is said to have taken hold in just a matter of minutes.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze was “well-developed”, adding: “Firefighters are working hard to extinguish the well-developed fire that has taken hold of the Mackintosh building in the Glasgow School of Art.”
Police Scotland put in place a number of road closures across the city centre as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.
A statement from Greater Glasgow Police Division said: “Officers are currently at the scene of the fire at the Mackintosh building in the Glasgow School of Art.
“A number of road closures have been put in place around Dalhousie Street, Scott Street and Sauchiehall Street, and we would ask motorists to avoid this area.”
Firefighters are working hard to extinguish the well-developed fire that has taken hold of the Mackintosh building in the Glasgow School of Art. pic.twitter.com/YE3cg2UaBl
— Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (@fire_scot) June 15, 2018
We are supporting @fire_scot and other agencies as they deal with a large fire in Glasgow. Areas around Dalhousie St, Scott St and Sauchiehall St are all affected with road closures. Colleagues from @GlasgowCPolice are on the ground. Please avoid the area meantime. pic.twitter.com/BTsvNqm12k
— Police Scotland Control Rooms (@polscotcontrol) June 16, 2018
Labour MP for Glasgow North East Paul Sweeney tweeted: “The Mack restoration project, led by @pagepark (Page Park Architects) and others, has been an incredibly innovative effort to restore Mackintosh’s masterpiece to life.
“I can only hope that the skills developed on it since 2014 will help to overcome this horrific setback. We cannot lose this building.”
There is a fire at the Mackintosh Building. The fire brigade are currently on scene. We will report back with news updates as soon as possible.
— Glasgow School Art (@GSofA) June 15, 2018
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that her “thoughts are for the safety of people” and that her “heart breaks” for the School of Art. She also paid tribute to Glasgow’s brave emergency responders dealing with the incident.
For more on the incident, click here.
Once again, we are indebted to the bravery of our firefighters and other emergency services. This is clearly an extremely serious situation. My first thoughts tonight are for the safety of people – but my heart also breaks for Glasgow’s beloved @GSofA https://t.co/G0adVwlF20
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 16, 2018
Huge fire at the Mackintosh Building in the Glasgow school of Art. The fire crews are currently on scene. pic.twitter.com/MsCBXXXhgl
— Radio Clyde News (@RadioClydeNews) June 15, 2018
There is a major fire at the Glasgow School of Art in the school's Mackintosh Building. Numerous fire crews are at the scene.
It comes 4 years after a fire ripped through the same building.
Ben is an eye-witness and says: "This looks much worse than the last fire" pic.twitter.com/c6BYVf33VZ
— BBC Radio 5 Live (@bbc5live) June 15, 2018
Glasgow School Of Art (Mackintosh Building) ravaged by fire, very sad. pic.twitter.com/ZZZKpQeGeK
— Jonathan Andrew (@jonathanlandrew) June 16, 2018
Getting worse. #glasgow school of art pic.twitter.com/Vzp7emrhCn
— Carlee Thurgate (@CARLEE79) June 15, 2018
Mackintosh Building at Glasgow School of Art on fire again. Terrible. Hope everyone who were nearby are safe and made it well away. pic.twitter.com/wP2dKB7jEk
— Robbie Cargill (@itsrobbiehi) June 15, 2018
The Mack restoration project, led by @pagepark and others, has been an incredibly innovative effort to restore Mackintosh’s masterpiece to life. I can only hope that the skills developed on it since 2014 will help to overcome this horrific setback. We cannot lose this building. pic.twitter.com/zRFKXoSdxC
— Paul Sweeney MP (@PaulJSweeney) June 15, 2018
Fire has struck the #GlasgowschoolofArt Mackintosh building, just as it was recovering from a devastating blaze only four years ago. Absolutely heart breaking ? pic.twitter.com/elMuhTaVFe
— stacey (@lisbonceltic67) June 16, 2018
