Demolition is set to begin on the fire-ravaged Union Corner building in Glasgow city centre, following the severe blaze that erupted on Sunday evening. The B-listed Victorian structure, situated prominently at the junction of Union Street and Gordon Street, was extensively damaged after flames took hold in a ground-floor vape shop.
Glasgow City Council has assessed the remaining structure, declaring it “fatally compromised” and “highly dangerous.” Among the initial components slated for dismantling is a precarious ‘floating’ chimney stack, which remains attached to an adjacent block several storeys above ground level. A “safe zone” has been established around the site, encompassing Glasgow Central Station, which consequently remained closed for the remainder of the week.
The council assumed control of the site from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) on Thursday to conduct its structural evaluation. Raymond Barlow, from the council’s building standards team, indicated the complexity of the operation and the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for completion or what parts of the building might be salvageable.
“You are talking a good number of weeks before we see any change to aspects around here,” Mr Barlow stated. “We need to start work at one end of the site, take off the highest bits of danger and hopefully that will let us start to access parts of the station and get the station back up before coming to the façade.”
He further noted that crews would operate around the clock, though adverse weather conditions, particularly high winds affecting crane usage, could impact progress.
The inferno ignited in a vape shop at approximately 3:45 PM on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Emergency services were swiftly on the scene, but within hours, the blaze had spread significantly, engulfing much of the block and causing thick smoke to blanket the area. Eyewitnesses reported a man attempting to extinguish the initial fire with a small fire extinguisher before being forced to retreat due to a series of explosions. By 9:00 PM, the building’s distinctive dome had collapsed.
At its peak, the emergency operation involved approximately 250 firefighters, 18 fire engines, and specialist equipment, including a high-volume pump drawing water from the River Clyde. A nearby hotel was evacuated, and while low-level train services at Central Station resumed earlier in the week, the main station concourse remained inaccessible due to the ongoing safety concerns. Firefighters have since been working to cool hotspots within the devastated stonework.
First Minister John Swinney has pledged the Scottish Government’s financial support for Glasgow’s recovery, engaging in discussions with Glasgow City Council regarding assistance for affected businesses. Details of this financial aid are expected to be announced shortly. Mr Swinney also indicated that ministers are considering tighter regulation for vape shops, citing public concern over the safety implications of such establishments.
The Union Corner building, constructed in 1851, predated Glasgow Central Station, which opened in 1879. Designed by architect James Brown of the firm Brown & Carrick, it was originally built for Francis Orr & Sons, a prominent Glaswegian stationery and publishing company. Historically, it was a recognisable city landmark, featuring an Irn Bru advert on its rooftop and a red neon Bells sign on its dome. Recent ground-floor tenants included the Blue Lagoon fish and chip shop and Sexy Coffee.
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