Blaze Rips Through Historic Art School in UK
Source dpa, Hamburg, Germany
A fire that engulfed several buildings, including part of the Glasgow School of Art (GSA), has been largely contained, with around 50 firefighters working to tamp out the remaining flames.
Firefighters were concentrating on all four sides of the buildings, with nine fire engines remaining on the scene in downtown Glasgow.
No casualties were reported. Nearby residences had been evacuated as a precaution, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said.
The British government pledged its support on Saturday. In a statement, Scottish Secretary David Mundell said the government "stands ready to help" the art school "financially or otherwise" after the blaze, which began in the GSA's Mackintosh building late Friday.
Properties including the adjacent O2 Academy concert venue have suffered "extensive damage" from the blaze, requiring the help of more than 120 firefighters, said deputy chief officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Iain Bushell.
"This is an extremely challenging and complex incident, but the response and professionalism of our firefighters has been exceptional," Bushell said.
The building was in the process of a multi-million dollar restoration after it was ravaged by fire in May 2014, when a projector exploded and set fire to a foam art installation.
The iconic sandstone building is one of Glasgow's most well known and was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh at the end of the 19th century. It attracts around 20,000 visitors every year.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it was an extremely serious situation.
"Once again, we are indebted to the bravery of our firefighters and other emergency services. My first thoughts tonight are for the safety of people - but my heart also breaks for Glasgow’s beloved (School of Art)," Sturgeon tweeted.
Glasgow City Council leader Susain Aitken asked residents to stay safe, noting there were teams on hand to help those affected.
"Devastating news about the ongoing incident at the Glasgow School of Art. Thoughts with all the emergency services as they work their way through this," she posted on Twitter.
Paul Sweeney, Labour MP for Glasgow North East, tweeted late Friday that the fire was in the most architecturally important building in Glasgow.
"We cannot lose this building," he wrote.
The Glaswegian also said he would use his position in parliament to promote a thorough investigation of the incident.
"There must be a comprehensive national effort to ensure every possible option to salvage and restore what is one of the finest edifices in the history of world architecture is pursued in the wake of this latest setback," Sweeney wrote on Twitter early Saturday.
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