Pest control teams tackle rats 'displaced' by Glasgow Blaze

19 June 2018, 06:20

Extra pest control teams are being drafted in after reports of rats being "displaced" following the fire which engulfed the Glasgow School of Art (GSA).

It is thought that the rodents came up from the drains as fire crews tackled the flames.

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said: "We understand there are reports of rodents in the area and it is likely they have been displaced as drains fill with water during the firefighting operation.

"As it becomes clearer where they are being displaced to, we are putting additional pest control resources into the area to get on top of that situation."

The fire broke out in the historic Mackintosh Building at 11.19pm on Friday and spread to nearby buildings including the O2 ABC venue.

The blaze is the second in four years to hit the art school building, which was undergoing a multi million-pound restoration project to return it to its former glory.

As appliances remained at the scene on Monday, fire chiefs said they are confident they will discover how the blaze started - but stressed the "very complex" investigation will take time.

Assistant Chief Officer David McGown, of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), said: "The investigation into this devastating incident has already commenced.

"Our fire investigation team has started gathering information and, working alongside our police partners, will look at various sources of information to establish exactly what has happened here.

"However, I would like to stress that this is a very complex process and will take time."

Earlier, Mr McGown told BBC Good Morning Scotland: "I can give this guarantee that we will find out what happened in this fire, what the cause was and what the cause of spread was."

At the height of the incident, more than 120 firefighters were involved in fighting the blaze.

There have been no reports of any casualties, although emergency services had to evacuate some properties in the area.

The council said 11 people attended a rest centre established in the early hours of Saturday and believes it is possible that other people made their own plans.

Ms Aitken added: "We are conscious that there are people who initially made their own arrangements, or who may have been out of the city at the weekend, who could still need advice or temporary accommodation."

Tenants are being urged to contact their landlords, while property owners can get help from council homelessness service.

The local authority said it is establishing a Sauchiehall Street taskforce "to manage all aspects of recovery" following the fire, including to support businesses in the area.

The blaze has shocked and saddened people in Glasgow and beyond including leading figures in the worlds of art and music.

Singer Annie Lennox tweeted: "So sad and disappointed for everyone affected by this 2nd devastating fire... (who would believe??!!) at Glasgow's historic and renowned Charles Rennie Mackintosh art school. .. the renovators, students, staff, alumni, noble fire fighters and everyone in Glasgow."

Experts have estimated the cost of rebuilding the gutted Mackintosh Building would be at least £100 million, if anything can be salvaged at all.

However GSA bosses said they remain hopeful of a positive outcome for the Mackintosh Building.

Scottish Government ministers and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) chief executive Alex Paterson met with Glasgow School of Art officials on Monday to discuss the situation and offer ministers' "full support".

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "A multi-agency group of conservation experts has been established to advise on short and longer term issues. This group, which includes HES, will continue to play a vital role in the weeks and months to come.