A major fire in central Glasgow forced the closure of Scotland’s busiest railway station. The Glasgow Central fire broke out in a nearby building on Union Street and caused major travel disruption across the rail network.
Officials confirmed that Glasgow Central railway station will remain closed indefinitely. Authorities said they cannot estimate when the station will reopen after the blaze damaged a nearby structure.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after flames erupted inside a vape shop located on the ground floor of a four-storey building. Firefighters from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded to the incident shortly after 3.46pm on Sunday.
Crews continued battling the fire into Monday morning. Officials urged residents and commuters to avoid the surrounding area while operations continue.
Meanwhile, National Rail warned passengers to expect widespread disruption. No trains will operate from the station’s high-level platforms. In addition, trains passing through the low-level platforms will not stop at the station.
Rail operators across the UK quickly adjusted services in response. Avanti West Coast announced an amended timetable to Preston, Carlisle, and Motherwell. These changes allow passengers to connect with trains heading toward Edinburgh and the wider Glasgow region.
Similarly, ScotRail warned customers to check travel updates before leaving home. The operator expects significant delays and cancellations across several routes.
Furthermore, TransPennine Express suspended services between Glasgow and Liverpool Lime Street as well as Manchester Airport. Trains running between Edinburgh and Newcastle or Manchester Airport may also face delays.
Authorities confirmed that firefighters have not reported any casualties so far. However, the blaze caused serious damage to the historic building where it began.
According to local politicians, part of the structure collapsed during the incident. Paul Sweeney, Labour MSP for Glasgow, said the building dates back to 1851 and suffered heavy damage as flames spread.
He also explained that nearby landmarks appear to have avoided major damage. Buildings including the Central Hotel and Caledonian Chambers seem largely unaffected.
Nevertheless, the fire destroyed several businesses inside the building. A café called Sexy Coffee confirmed on social media that the blaze completely destroyed its premises.
The company described the loss as heartbreaking but promised to rebuild. Owners also reassured customers that their Argyle Street location will remain open.
Another business, Willow Hair Salon, also confirmed that the fire destroyed its shop. Staff shared the news online and thanked customers for their support during the crisis.
Political leaders also responded to the emergency. John Swinney thanked firefighters and emergency crews for their rapid response. He urged the public to follow travel advice and avoid the area.
As firefighters continue their work, the Glasgow Central fire remains one of the most disruptive incidents to hit the city’s transport network in recent years. Officials say the station will stay closed until engineers assess the damage and confirm the area is safe.
Meanwhile, passengers across Scotland face delays as rail operators reroute services and manage the impact of the Glasgow Central fire.
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