- School’s Mackintosh building is on fire after it was badly damaged in 2014 fire
- At least 20 fire engines on site battling the out-of-control blaze in city centre
- School evacuated along with part of busy Sauchiehall Street
- Witnesses said the flames were 50ft high and could be seen for 10 miles
A huge fire is raging through the Glasgow School of Art with smoke billowing flames visible for more than 10 miles.
Dozens of firefighters were on site trying to extinguish the blaze as the school was evacuated along with part of busy Sauchiehall Street.
Hundreds of residents spilled out on to the streets to watch in horror after the fire started about 11.20pm in the landmark institution.
A huge fire is raging through the Glasgow School of Art with smoke billowing flames visible for more than 10 miles
Dozens of firefighters were on sight trying to extinguish the blaze as the school was evacuated along with part of busy Sauchiehall Street
Firefighters put ladders against the building to douse from close range while others used at least six high-pressure hoses to spray from farther range.
At least 20 fire engines are on site and witnesses said flames were licking 50ft into the air within minutes of it starting.
There were fears the fire could spread to neighbouring buildings in the tightly-packed Victorian era district.
The school’s Mackintosh building was severely damaged by another fire just four years ago and was still being repaired.
The building in the city centre was not due to reopen to students until September 2019 after a £35 million restoration – which has now gone up in flames.
Hundreds of residents spilled out on to the streets to watch in horror as the fire rampaged across the landmark institution
The fire spread quickly throughout the building complex appearing the consume all of it
There were fears the fire could spread to neighbouring buildings in the tightly-packed Victorian era district
The new fire ignited just days after the 150th birthday of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the architect who designed the building that bares his name.
‘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,’ the school said.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: ‘Thoughts with you GSofA – I know [firefighters] will be doing everything they can.’
Glasgow North East MP Paul Sweeney tweeted: ‘(Firefighters) are doing everything they can to salvage the most architecturally important building in Glasgow.’
Firefighters put ladders against the building to douse from close range while others used at least six high-pressure hoses to spray from farther range
At least 20 fire engines are on site and witnesses said flames were licking 50ft into the air within minutes of it starting
A huge pillar of smoke could be see bursting into the night sky miles away form the fire
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