A veteran firefighter has described a gruelling six-hour fight to stop flames from spreading into Glasgow’s transport hub and a landmark hotel — a response that, officials say, averted a far greater disaster and raises fresh questions about shop safety and building protection in city centres. The blaze destroyed a 175-year-old corner building on Union Street but crews managed to prevent the fire reaching Glasgow Central station and the Grand Central Hotel.
John Banach, 53, a crew commander from Johnstone, spent hours operating from the top of a 115ft high-reach ladder as embers swept skyward and the fire repeatedly flared back. He told reporters the heat was overwhelming and that his priority was to keep the blaze from jumping across to the adjacent transport and hotel complex.
The fire began in the afternoon on Sunday in a ground-floor vape shop and quickly consumed the Victorian Union Corner building. Much of the structure collapsed, including its domed roof, leaving only the Gordon Street façade of the B-listed building standing.
From the frontline, Banach said his team’s objective was clear: create a protective line of water to shield the station and hotel. Positioned on Gordon Street, he and colleagues adjusted appliances and hose lines under warnings from safety officers about potential collapse. “We were constantly putting water on it,” he recalled of the long, exacting task.
At the height of the operation, specialist resources were deployed alongside multiple fire engines. Fire services used a high-volume pump drawing from the River Clyde as crews fought the blaze into the night.
- Where: Union Street, Glasgow — Union Corner building
- When: Fire began at about 3.45pm on Sunday
- Casualties: No fatalities reported; crews reported extreme heat exposure and exhaustion
- Resources: At peak, 18 fire engines and specialist units; around 60 firefighters worked on scene with almost 200 more involved across the wider response
- Damage: Devastation to the historic building; Gordon Street façade remains
The personal toll was visible after midnight when Banach, covered in soot and visibly drained, sat on the pavement to rest. A chaplain checked on his welfare and he later accepted food and water at a welfare unit. Street photographer Brian Anderson’s image of that exhausted pause has been widely shared.
Officials briefed the public on the immediate and longer-term fallout. First Minister John Swinney said local authorities are collecting information from affected businesses and promised details of financial support would follow. Ministers are also considering tighter regulation of vape shops — a response prompted by the fire’s suspected origin.
Assistant Chief Officer Jon Henderson praised the response, highlighting the commitment of on-call firefighters and naming Banach for his tireless work under dangerous conditions. For his part, Banach has downplayed any hero label, saying the outcome reflected teamwork and training.
The incident leaves several clear implications for the city:
- Heritage loss — a 175-year-old structure has been largely destroyed, prompting calls to review protections for historic façades and roofs;
- Transport resilience — damage so close to a major station underscores vulnerability during urban emergencies;
- Retail and licensing — suspected origin in a vape shop has accelerated debate about shop safety standards and licensing;
- Emergency preparedness — the scale of the response will feed after-action reviews on equipment placement, water supply and crew rotation during prolonged incidents.
Investigations into the cause and a full assessment of structural damage continue. For now, emergency managers and city leaders are focused on supporting businesses affected by the blaze and on measures to reduce the risk of similar fires in densely built urban areas.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
