Firefighters rushed to Pollokshaws Parish Church on the south side of Glasgow in the early hours of this morning and a devastating blaze has left the building in ruins
A landmark church which dates back to 1843 has been gutted by a fire which ripped through it overnight.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a blaze at Pollokshaws Parish Church on Shawbridge Street on the south side of Glasgow in the early hours of Sunday morning. Arriving at the scene shortly before 3am, they tackled flames which have now destroyed much of the 182-year-old church and led to part of the building collapsing.
Initially two fire engines were dispatched, but another was called to the incident due to the severity of the fire. The SFRS confirmed they were still in attendance late this morning, with Shawbridge Street currently closed and flats on either side of the church evacuated. No injuries have been reported.
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Firefighters tackled the flames from outside the church due to danger of further building collapse, and it has not been confirmed that the blaze has been fully extinguished. A high-reach appliance is still on the scene as well as three appliances.
The wooden foundations of the church roof appear completely scorched by the flames, while the blackened interior of the building can be seen from above, reports Glasgow Live.
Councillor Sean Ferguson said he would be speaking to the police and fire service over the incident. He wrote on X: “I’m deeply saddened to hear that Pollokshaws Parish Church burned down last night.
“The church has stood for over 180 years and is a cherished local landmark. My thanks go to the emergency services for their efforts in tackling the blaze. I will be liaising with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – Your Safety over the coming days to obtain updates.”
Many people have also taken to social media to express their sadness at what has happened. One person wrote: “So sad that beautiful church was there for nearly two hundred undisturbed then a mystery fire and it’s gone are any church buildings safe anymore.”
Another said: “This sad a great church very warm welcoming when I was a little girl sad to see the fire has destroyed it all that time been standing dormant and now destroyed very upsetting to look out my window never see it again
While a further commented: “So sad I got married there and my children were christened there. No doubt they will build flats. It’s not just a building they destroyed but all the hundreds of years of records.”
