Firefighters battle major blaze at famed Glasgow art school
LONDON — Firefighters sought to limit damage to the historic Glasgow School of Art Saturday, after a dramatic fire that ravaged it spread to neighbouring properties and led to several evacuations.
Officials said there was serious damage to the renowned Mackintosh Building, which was undergoing an extensive restoration after the arts school was badly damaged by another fire in 2014.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service deputy assistant Peter Heath said the “extensive” fire affected all the floors of the building, including those that were being restored in a multi-million pound (dollar) effort to reclaim its former glory.
There were no immediate reports of casualties but the fire devastated one of Glasgow’s most treasured buildings, designed by celebrated Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and built between 1897 and 1909. Officials said Saturday morning the fire was not completely out but was under control, and latest television footage showed firefighters continuing to spray jets of water at the building to try and prevent further damage.