Fire Crews 'Save' Glasgow School Of Art

Firefighters battling a major blaze at one of Scotland's most iconic buildings believed they've saved most of the structure and contents.

Flames ripped through Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh Building yesterday lunchtime.

It's understood the fire began in the basement and spread quickly through five floors to the roof.

Flames could be see bursting through the shattered windows while thick clouds of smoke were visible for miles.

A number of students were putting final touches to their final degree submissions which were due hours after the blaze broke out - and it was feared many would have lost years' of work.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service now says it believes 90% of the structure is "viable", and the crews' efforts have saved 70% of the contents.

Assistant Chief Officer Dave Boyle, director of service delivery in the west, said: "Crews have been working absolutely flat out throughout this very challenging incident and it is clear their effort and skill has saved this treasured building and many of the items it housed.

"While the priority from the outset was to save life we have also been working closely with Glasgow School of Art staff to ensure firefighters conducted an effective salvage operation.

"We are of course very conscious the Mackintosh is a world renowned building that is a key feature of this great city, and that the artworks it stores are not only valuable but also cherished.

"We are acutely aware this period is the culmination of years of endeavour for students and that their irreplaceable work is inside the Mackintosh.

"Work to save everything that can be saved is ongoing and we will continue to work closely with GSA staff and students throughout this operation."

A spokesperson for Glasgow School of Art added: "We would like to express our very sincere thanks to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for their tremendous efforts."

The Mackintosh Building is one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's earliest masterpieces.

He won a design competition in 1897 with his art noueveau design, and it opened in 1909.

The building's been described as "irreplaceable" by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

As the fire raged yesterday afternoon, RIBA President Stephen Hodder said:  “The most important work by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, an architect of international significance, Glasgow School of Art is held in the highest regard by architects and the public alike - it was rightly judged to be the best building of the past 175 years, in a nationwide poll run by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

“Damage to a building of such immense significance and uniqueness is an international tragedy."