40 firefighters battle blaze

A former Railtrack training centre in Quay Road, Rutherglen, was totally destroyed this evening as fire engulfed the extensive single storey building.

An initial attendance of 3 fire appliances from Polmadie, Calton and Parkhead Community Fire Stations received the call to attend the premises shortly before 9:30pm. On arrival the fire had already taken hold of the building and was relentlessly ripping its way along the entirety of the premises which measured approximately 150 metres x 15 metres.

The Incident Commander immediately requested supporting appliances in the effort to quell the blaze.

Fire crews were severely hampered by extremely poor water supplies but were able to contain the fire to the unoccupied building and prevent fire spread to the many adjacent industrial units in close proximity.

At the height of the blaze 40 firefighters battled to contain the fire externally  using a combination of ground and aerial jets.

The fire was eventually brought under control after almost four hours. Fire crews will be in attendance for some considerable time and a joint ivestigation into the cause of the fire will be undertaken by Strathclyde Fire & Rescue and the Police.

There is no further information available at this time.