Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Glasgow fruit market fire: Huge blaze 'will take all day to tackle', say firefighters

Warehouse erupts in flames in early hours at Blochairn Road in Royston as grocery traders forced to evacuate, with 12 emergency services vehicles in attendance at the scene

Graeme Murray
Thursday 17 August 2017 11:08 BST
Comments
Fire and smoke seen at Glasgow fruit market, Scotland, on 17 August 2017
Fire and smoke seen at Glasgow fruit market, Scotland, on 17 August 2017 (Chris McManus/Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Firefighters tackling a large blaze at a warehouse in Glasgow have said they expect to be at the scene for most of the day.

Crews were called to the property in Blochairn Road, Royston, at 3.44am on Thursday.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said 12 fire engines and four aerial appliances had been involved in the operation at the two-storey warehouse.

Speed restrictions have also been put in place on the nearby M8 and road closures introduced while firefighters tackle the blaze.

​SFRS deputy assistant chief officer John Joyce told BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland the fire began at the fruit market in Blochairn Road early in the morning.

Firefighters tackling a warehouse blaze at a fruit market in Blochairn Road, Glasgow.
Firefighters tackling a warehouse blaze at a fruit market in Blochairn Road, Glasgow. (Graeme Murray/PA)

He said: “The operation is dealing with an extensive and complicated fire in difficult conditions for our firefighters.

“We are pretty certain of the place it started. I think we will be here for most of the day.”

The blaze began as around 400 workers began their shift selling fruit and vegetables to restaurants and bars in Scotland. Employees at the market were safely evacuated.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “We were called at 4am to a report of a fire within a warehouse in Blochairn Road.

“Emergency services are in attendance and no-one has been injured.

“A joint investigation with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is is under way.”

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in