A massive fire near one of Scotland's busiest train stations has engulfed a historic building in Glasgow, causing it to partially collapse.
Dozens of firefighters scrambled at Union Street just before 4 p.m. Sunday after the blaze started on the ground floor of a four-story commercial building, crews said.
Dramatic images captured orange flames curling around a domed roof beneath the night sky, as a silhouetted crane directed a water jet over the raging blaze.
Specialist equipment was used to tackle the inferno. No casualties have been reported so far.
"At its height, 18 appliances and specialist resources, including three high-reach vehicles, were mobilised to the scene," the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said at 2 a.m. local time, with the fire still burning after 10 hours.
In video circulating on social media and verified by CNN, thick smoke is seen billowing from a shop doorway. A person briefly sprays a fire extinguisher into the smoke before being pulled away by onlookers.
"Oh my God, it's like an explosion," a voice says in the clip while calling emergency services.
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Loud bangs and sirens sound in the background before a police van arrives on the scene.
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney expressed deep concern over the fire and thanked emergency crews for their ongoing response in a post on X late Sunday, local time.
"Please continue to follow travel guidance, avoid the area and stay safe," Swinney added.
Glasgow Central has regular rail services across the United Kingdom including direct links to Edinburgh and London. It has been closed for now and major disruptions to train services have been reported, according to Britain's National Rail.
The station was built in 1873, according to Network Rail which described it as "a stunning, historic building." It refers to the station as the busiest in Scotland on its website.
Glasgow Central originally opened with eight platforms, it adds. This was part of wider efforts to contend with Glasgow's rapidly increasing population, driven by rapid industrialization including the success of the city's shipbuilding industry on the River Clyde.
CNN has contacted Police Scotland for comment.
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