Glasgow Central will remain closed with “no estimate on when the station will reopen” after a huge fire broke out at a vape shop on Union Street.
A fire broke out on the ground floor of a 19th-century commercial building around 3.46pm on Sunday, causing “enormous damage” and the loss of the building’s dome.
More than 200 firefighters have been involved in the incident, with 18 fire engines and a specialist resource deployed to the scene at the height of the blaze.
Only the facade of the building at the corner of Gordon Street and Union Street has been left standing.
Network Rail said Glasgow Central will remain closed until further notice as crews work to cool off hotspots within the stonework and structural engineers assess the stability of the remaining building.
STV News
No trains will run to or from the high-level platforms at Scotland’s busiest station, while trains that run through the low-level platforms will not call at Glasgow Central.
Passengers will be able to board and depart at Anderston and Argyle Street stations.
A multi-agency investigation is set to be undertaken to establish the cause of the incident.
Superintendent Jackie Dunbar said: “Police continue to support our emergency partners with their response to this significant incident in the city centre.
“I would urge people to be mindful of the road closures, plan journeys carefully and to avoid the area if they can bearing in mind that there will be a significant impact on the wider road network.”
‘Enormous damage and disruption’
First Minister John Swinney, who visited the scene of the fire on Monday morning, said the blaze had caused enormous damage and would lead to significant disruption.
He said: “There is a significant incident that has been dealt with here in the city of Glasgow and I’m relieved in all the efforts of our emergency services that there have been no injuries.
“There’s obviously a huge amount of disruption for members of the public in the west of Scotland as a consequence of the closure of Central Station and the closure of a number of roads, so there’s a very focused recovery operation under way just now involving all partners.
“The disruption from this incident is absolutely enormous because Central Station in Glasgow is the busiest in Scotland – a huge number of passengers go in and out of the station every day – and the adjoining roads that are closed will also add to congestion in and around the city.
“The government recognises that this is an unexpected and extraordinary incident to affect the city of Glasgow, so there will be numerous businesses affected and we will work with Glasgow City Council to support the council and businesses as part of the recovery operation.
“The government will be active supporters of that process, we’ll be financial contributors to that process to make sure we can get the city centre of Glasgow up and running as quickly as we can.”
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said the incident could have been “so much worse” without the actions of fire crews.
“This is another reminder of just how important Glasgow city centre is to Scotland’s national life”, she said. “It has no equivalent in terms of economic and cultural impact.
Thankful there are no casualties but very upsetting to see the damage the major fire has caused to the heart of Glasgow city centre. The priorities of all those working at and behind the scene are keeping everyone safe and supporting those immediately affected
— Susan Aitken (@SusaninLangside) March 9, 2026
“Ensuring a swift recovery and longer-term restoration must be a priority for all levels of government in the weeks ahead.”
A spokesperson for Scottish Fire and Rescue said: “We were alerted at 3.46pm on Sunday, March 8, to reports of a fire affecting the ground floor of a four-storey commercial building on Union Street, Glasgow.
“More than 250 firefighters have been involved in the effort in total to make the area safe since the alarm was raised.
“As of this morning, nine fire appliances and three high-reach vehicles remain at the scene.
“At the height of the incident, 18 fire appliances and specialist resources – including a high volume pump drawing water from the River Clyde – were deployed to the scene.
“There are no reported casualties, but the fire has caused extensive damage to the building, including the loss of its iconic dome.”
‘Follow alternative travel arrangements’
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Glasgow Central Station remains closed following the fire in a building on Union Street on Sunday.
“While the fire is now under control, emergency services are still on site, and we continue to support their response.
“The station will remain closed today and likely tomorrow. Timescales for reopening will only be confirmed once we are able to safely gain access and carry out the necessary checks.
“All services to and from Glasgow Central are currently suspended, and passengers should continue to follow alternative travel arrangements as advised by their train operators.
“We will provide further updates as soon as more information is available.”
STV NewsCrews remain at the scene as of 6.30am on Monday. STV News
Monday night’s Caledonian Sleeper service, which departs at 11.40pm, from Glasgow Central to London Euston will instead begin its journey from Edinburgh.
To help passengers reach their train, Sleeper has arranged complimentary travel, with ScotRail, from Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh on the following services:
21:15 – Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh 21:45 – Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh 22:15 – Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh
ScotRail warned of substantial disruption to its services and urged passengers to check for the latest information before travelling.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said: “Unfortunately, we will not be able to operate train services in or out of Glasgow Central high level tomorrow following the impact of the major fire near to the station.
“Our trains, which operate via Glasgow Central low level, will continue to run, but will not stop at the station.
“We are sorry to customers for the impact this will cause, and we would urge them to check their journey options before they travel, and we aware there will be very limited replacement transport.
“We will keep customers updated via our social media channels, and you can also visit our website, or use the ScotRail app to find out what services will be operating.”
Garry F McHarg | Focal ScotlandCredit: Garry F McHarg Garry F McHarg | Focal Scotland
TransPennine Express said its services would not run between Glasgow Central and Liverpool Lime Street or Manchester Airport on Monday, while trains between Edinburgh and Newcastle/Manchester Airport will be subject to delays and cancellations in both directions.
Those with ScotRail tickets are able to travel on Glasgow Subway services.
Road closures
Police Scotland has confirmed that a number of road closures will remain in place over the coming days, including Renfield Street at West George Street; St Vincent Street at West Nile Street; West Nile Street southbound from Bath Street; and Broomielaw between Oswald Street and Jamaica Street.
Vehicles can go over the King George V bridge and turn left onto Broomielaw and Clyde Street westbound, turn right onto Glasgow Bridge and then back over the King George V bridge.
In a statement on Instagram, a shop called Sexy Coffee said its business, located inside the building, had been destroyed.
“We are absolutely devastated to confirm that the shop has sadly been destroyed in the fire,” the statement said.
“It is heartbreaking for us and our team, especially after the support and loyalty we have received from so many of you over the years.
Garry F McHarg Focal ScotlandCredit: Garry F McHarg Garry F McHarg Focal Scotland
“However, we want to reassure everyone that this is not the end. We will rebuild, revamp the shop, and reopen as soon as possible.
“In the meantime, our Argyle Street branch remains open, and we would love to welcome you there.
“Thank you to all of our amazing customers for your continued support. It truly means everything to us.
“We will be back.”
The owner of Willow Hair Salon confirmed on social media that her business had also been destroyed, and the Voco Grand Central Hotel was also evacuated.
Tangible hair salon, which is based at Union Street, confirmed they were one of the businesses affected.
“A fire took our building today”, they wrote on Instagram. “As far as I’m aware it’s still burning. All of our businesses are lost. We stood in the street and held each other as we cried and watched everything we’d built destroyed.
“As far as we know everyone is safe, everyone is just in shock and devastated.”
People standing watching at the police cordon spoke of their shock.
Emma Reid, from Glasgow, said: “It’s just so sad. It’s such an iconic building. It’s so sad.”
Rumaisah Imrane, originally from Glasgow but now living in Edinburgh, said: “It’s terrifying, it looks like the whole building is just gone.
“It’s such a beautiful part of the city and Central station is such a lovely building.”
Carolyn Bowie stopped to watch as her son was one of the firefighters tackling the blaze on Monday morning, having started his shift at 8am.
She said: “It’s devastating and a big blow for Glasgow.”
Shelter Scotland has confirmed its recently upgraded store has been “completely destroyed”.
Director Alison Watson said: “We are heartbroken by the devastating fire on Union Street in Glasgow yesterday. Crucially, everyone who was in our Union Street shop is safe. The shop was evacuated as soon as the alarm was raised, and our team are now being supported by colleagues.
“We have been part of the Union Street community for nine years and our hearts go out to all the businesses and community members that have been impacted. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the emergency services whose calm and professional response ensured the safety of everyone present.”
STV News is now on WhatsApp
Get all the latest news from around the country
Follow STV News Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
