Firefighters extinguish major blaze at Strathclyde University

Crews faced chemical risk and challenging conditions

MORE than 50 firefighters last night tackled a major blaze at Strathclyde University.

Crews were mobilised to the scene at around 19:16, after reports of a fire in the seven-floor James Weir building on Montrose Street.

Firefighters arrived to be confronted by a well-developed blaze and operations were complicated by the presence of hazardous chemicals, including solvents and acids in the building's laboratories.

At the height of the incident, SFR had more than 50 firefighters and ten appliances at the scene, including an aerial rescue pump and a forward control unit. No casualties were reported, and surrounding buildings were evacuated as a precautionary measure. 

The fire was extinguished at 23:40, and firefighters are currently carrying out dampening-down operations and salvage work at the scene.

Investigations into the cause of the blaze are due to begin today.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Jim Doyle, who was in command of the incident, said:

"This was an extremely challenging incident in the centre of Glasgow, complicated by the building's network of interlinking corridors and the presence of hazardous chemicals. 

"The firefighters' work was exemplary, as they fought through acrid smoke and intense heat to tackle the blaze and bring it under control as quickly as possible without a single casualty."