A MASSIVE fire has been ripping through a huge section of Glasgow city centre tonight as firefighters fought to contain it.
They battled flames which were sweeping towards the historic Central Station and had already collapsed a series of buildings next door.
Nearby hotels and residents were evacuated as the blaze took hold in a vape shop on Union Street around 3.45pm and quickly spread.
A whole block on the corner where Union Street meets Gordon Street also appeared to have been destroyed as the station was shut down.
Witnesses told the Scottish Sun they heard a loud bang and claimed the vape shop had “exploded”.
One said: “There was a huge bang and then smoke started pouring out of the shop. It’s not clear if anyone has been hurt.
“Firefighters looked to have it under control earlier this afternoon but it seems to have flared up again.”
Hundreds of people watched around a police corden as multiple fire engines and major incident vehicle arrived at the scene.
Flames, smoke and ash could be seen shooting into the sky from miles away as ambulance crews and dozens of cops rushed to the scene.
Carer Pamela Smith, 58, from Gorebridge, West Lothian said: “I watched part of it collapse — there was a huge bang and thousands of tiny sparks shot up into the sky.
“ I’ve had to get the bus instead, but I can’t take my eyes off the fire. It’s really scary.”
Aaron Ferguson, 21, from Edinburgh said: “I’ve stood at the cordon on Union Street for hours. I’ve just watched it get progressively worse.
“The firefighters have been trying to battle it for hours and nothing seems to be working. It started on a ground floor vape shop and the flames have gradually risen to the roof.
“I saw pipes and gas canisters firing out of the building as it came down. The police are just pushing the cordon further and further back to make sure it’s safe for the public. I was due I get a train back to Edinburgh but that’s out the window now. “
Central Station was soon closed – sparking travel chaos for commuters with scores of punters gathering outside the cordoned-off entrance.
Residents at the nearby Grand Central Hotel were also evacuated as a result of the fire.
A spokesperson for the hotel said that “all guests” should “move to Radison Blue immediately”.
Darren Elliott, 42, from Glasgow said: “I was staying at a hostel just next door to the fire. I nipped out for a cigarette and was told by police I couldn’t get back in.
“All of the power went out. I just about pulled my TV off of the wall because I thought it was something wrong with the mains. I saw the flames billowing out near a window. I don’t think I’ll be getting back in.”
It had intially seemed the fire was under control when the shop first went up in the afternoon but the situation quickly deteriorated.
Football fans heading back from the Celtic v Rangers game at Ibrox and those travelling to St Mirren v Partick Thistle at the SMiSA Stadium in Paisley were hit by disruption.
And communters this morning will face chaos as trains are cancelled and diverted.
All high-level lines at Glasgow Central were closed, while lower-level services, which are accessible via Argyle Street, remain running.
Cops have cordoned off Union Street between Gordon Street and St Vincent Street, with diversions in place.
Firefighters have been pumping water from the Clyde to tackle the fire.
The Broomielaw area of the city was closed from Oswald Street to Jamaica Street and Clyde Street was closed westbound from Stockwell Street to Jamaica Street, as well as eastbound from Jamaica Street to Maxwell Street.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Emergency services are at Union Street, Glasgow after a fire that was reported around 4pm on Sunday, 8 March, 2026.
“Union Street is closed from Gordon Street and St Vincent Street is closed at Renfield Street with diversions in place.
“People are advised to avoid the area if possible and residents should keep their windows closed.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 3.46pm to reports of a building on fire on Union Street, Glasgow.
“Operations control mobilised six appliances and specialist resources were sent to the scene where firefighters are working to extinguish the fire.”
A spokesperson for Scotrail said: “Scottish Fire and Rescue are dealing with a fire in a building near Glasgow Central and the station has had to close.
“Customers should make their own travel arrangements, as we cannot guarantee that you will be able to complete your journey.
“No services will be able to call at Glasgow Central high level. Services are still able to run through Glasgow Central low level, but the station will be closed, and no services will stop there. Please use Argyle Street instead.”
First Minister John Swinney urged people to “avoid the area”.
Posting on social media he said: “I am deeply concerned about the fire near Glasgow Central Station tonight and very grateful to all of the emergency services who are responding.
“Please continue to follow travel guidance, avoid the area and stay safe.”
