CREWS TACKLE BLAZE AT CITY FLATS
Emergency services rush to South Side as flames and smoke spotted coming from roof
FIREFIGHTERS spent several hours fighting a blaze at a home in Pollokshields yesterday which left several families displaced.
The fire broke out at a top floor flat in Lincluden Path at around 1pm. It’s thought the blaze then spread to neighbouring properties in McCulloch Street.
Emergency services including the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, and the Scottish Ambulance Service, were called to the scene shortly afterwards.
Huge flames and plumes of smoke were seen coming from the windows and the roof of the property.
Police officers cordoned off several surrounding streets and put a number of road closures in place.
A local shopkeeper said: “I heard the fire engines go by but didn’t really pay much attention because usually the shops or the nearby school have some accidents with the alarms.
“But later on I looked out and saw smoke coming through the window and then the next minute there was flames coming through the roof. “I was really quite shocked.” Residents in the surrounding flats at the time of the fire were evacuated and taken to a safe place.
William Docherty, who lives in a nearby property, said: “I was out at the time and got a call from the housing officer checking in on me. I came back and got quite a bit of a shock.
“I didn’t expect it to be that bad. Fire’s have been happening quite often around here recently. There was a fire at St Andrew’s Drive and another at the dessert shop.
“I just hope no-one is hurt.”
In total, 15 families have been displaced by the fire, according to the Bowling Green project, which is part of the Pollokshields Trust organisation.
They asked for donations of shoes and clothes for children and adults, both male and female, whose homes had been destroyed by the blaze.
Southside Housing Association opened its doors to those affected last night and said it was working with the emergency services to help rehouse those put out.
Around two hours after the alarm was first raised, national risk and resilience department officers arrived at the scene with bottled water for the police and firefighters.
The area falls under Nicola
Sturgeon’s constituency and the First Minister said her office would be able to help anyone who needed aid.
She tweeted: “Really distressing situation for the families affected by this terrible fire in McCulloch Street.
“I know the Pollokshields community will rally round as it always does.
“My constituency office also stands ready to offer any assistance necessary.”
Alison Thewliss, the local MP, said on Twitter: “Hoping everyone is safe.”
Meanwhile, Rob McDowall said: “Another fire here in Pollokshields. I hope everyone is out safely and away from harm’s way.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were in attendance alongside emergency service partners at a fire at a three-storey block of flats on McCulloch Street, Glasgow.
“Operations Control mobilised nine fire appliances and further specialist units including an aerial platform ladder to the scene after the alarm was raised at 1.14pm on Tuesday, June 1.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman added: “At around 1.30pm on Tuesday, June 1, police were called to a fire at a flat in Lincluden Path, Glasgow.
“Emergency services attended and the affected property, along with 13 other flats, were evacuated. Residents have been put in temporary accommodation.
“Maxwell Road at Kerr Street, and Shields Road at Bruce Road, remain closed.
“A joint investigation between Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is ongoing.”