More than 60 firefighters have been battling a blaze in Glasgow which erupted after an “explosion” in a city centre vape shop.
They have been tackling flames which have been sweeping towards the historic Central Station and has already collapsed a historic building next door.
Witnesses told the Scottish Sun they heard a loud bang and claimed the vape shop had “exploded”.
One said: “There was a huge bang and then smoke started pouring out of the shop. It’s not clear if anyone has been hurt.
“Firefighters looked to have it under control earlier this afternoon but it seems to have flared up again.”
Nearby hotels and residents were evacuated as the blaze took hold on Union Street around 3.45pm and quickly spread.
The iconic Forsyth House’s famous dome has collapsed as the fire spread to nearby Gordon Street, close to the front entrance at Central.
The building houses businesses including Sexy Coffee, Subway, Paddy Power and Blue Lagoon.
The B-listed building, known as Union Corner, sits at the junction of Union Street and Gordon Street and was constructed in 1851, pre-dating Central Station, which opened in 1879.
Witnesses told the Scottish Sun they heard a loud bang and claimed the vape shop had “exploded”.
One said: “There was a huge bang and then smoke started pouring out of the shop. It’s not clear if anyone has been hurt.
“Firefighters looked to have it under control earlier this afternoon but it seems to have flared up again.”
A total of 15 fire appliances and specialist resources are on the scene, with firefighters pumping water from the River Clyde in an attempt to contain the inferno.
Central Station has been closed since around 4.30PM – sparking travel chaos for commuters with scores of punters gathering outside the cordoned-off entrance.
Hundreds of people watched around police cordens as multiple fire engines and major incident vehicles arrived at the scene.
Flames, smoke and ash could be seen shooting into the sky from miles away as ambulance crews and dozens of cops rushed to the scene.
Gig-goer Stella Clarke, 64, of Airdrie, joined spectators after leaving the Royal Concert Hall.
She said: “You could see the glow of the flames from the hall.
“People were huddled together watching while police kept them back behind tape.
“There was a crashing sound and the top of the building fell in sending fire shooting up.
“People gasped and some cuddled into each other in total shock.
“There were blue lights everywhere and a fireman was on a platform high above the station spraying water.
“Just when it seemed he had dampened the flames they’d come back to life even more ferociously.”
Residents at the nearby Grand Central Hotel were also evacuated as a result of the fire.
A spokesperson for the hotel said that “all guests” should “move to Radison Blue immediately”.
Sexy Coffee said they were “devastated” their branch on Union Street had been wrecked by the blaze.
In a post on social media, they described the fire as “heartbreaking” however they vowed to “rebuild, revamp the shop and reopen”.
First Minister John Swinney said he is “deeply concerned” about the blaze and is “grateful to all of the emergency services who are responding.”
Football fans heading back from the Celtic v Rangers game at Ibrox and those travelling to St Mirren v Partick Thistle at the SMiSA Stadium in Paisley were hit by disruption.
And commuters tomorrow morning will face chaos as trains are cancelled and diverted.
All high-level lines at Glasgow Central were closed, while lower-level services, which are accessible via Argyle Street, remained running.
Cops cordoned off Union Street between Gordon Street and St Vincent Street, with diversions in place.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Emergency services are at Union Street, Glasgow after a fire that was reported around 4pm on Sunday, 8 March, 2026.
“Union Street is closed from Gordon Street and St Vincent Street is closed at Renfield Street with diversions in place.
“People are advised to avoid the area if possible and residents should keep their windows closed.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “
Fifteen fire appliances and specialist resources, including three high-reach vehicles and a water rescue team, remain at the scene of a commercial building fire on Union Street, Glasgow.
People are advised to avoid the area if possible, and residents should keep their windows closed.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Firefighters continue to work to extinguish a large building fire on Union Street, Glasgow.
“At its height, 15 fire appliances and specialist resources, including three high-reach vehicles and a water rescue team, were mobilised to the area.
“We were first alerted at 3.46pm on Sunday, 8 March, to reports of a fire affecting the ground floor of a four-storey commercial building.
“There are no reported casualties, and crews remain at the scene.”
A spokesperson for Scotrail said: “Scottish Fire and Rescue are dealing with a fire in a building near Glasgow Central and the station has had to close.
“Customers should make their own travel arrangements, as we cannot guarantee that you will be able to complete your journey.
“No services will be able to call at Glasgow Central high level. Services are still able to run through Glasgow Central low level, but the station will be closed, and no services will stop there. Please use Argyle Street instead.”
A spokesperson for Network Rail added: “Glasgow Central Station has been closed until further notice, and will not reopen on Monday morning, following a fire at a vape shop on Union Street this afternoon.
“Emergency services, including Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, are on site and managing the incident. As a precaution, all services through Glasgow Central have been suspended and passengers are advised to seek alternative travel arrangements.
“We will provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available.”
