Major fire in Dennistoun area of Glasgow

DOZENS of people were evacuated from their homes on Sunday after a fire broke out in block of flats.

Firefighters tackle the huge blaze in Roslea Drive in Dennistoun, Glasgow. Picture: Hemedia

Eight people, including two children, were rescued by firefighters from the top-floor flat in Glasgow’s east end as flames consumed the roof.

At the height of the fire at around 1:25am on Sunday, about 130 people were evacuated from the area, with 40 taken to a nearby secondary school.

Many of those evacuated are spending another night away from their homes as investigations continue into the cause.

A resident is evacuated by emergency workers. Picture: Hemedia

The surrounding streets remained cordoned off on Sunday as a precaution, with strong winds and charred debris dangling from what was left of the roof.

Witnesses described seeing flames rising at least seven feet in the air as much of the top floor of the five-storey building on the corner of Roslea Drive and Hillfoot Street was consumed.

People praised the emergency services for the quick response. Nobody was injured and nobody required hospital treatment after checks by ambulance crews.

More than 40 firefighters from Calton, Cowcaddens and Springburn attended the scene and found a “well developed fire”, evacuating residents from lower floors before high-reach appliances pulled eight people from the upper floors.

In total, 33 people were rescued from the corner building prior to the fire being brought under control.

Most residents were later taken in by family and friends, but two families were being cared for at the Hamish Allan Centre, said Glasgow City Council.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and police appealed for witnesses – including of any potentially “person or persons acting suspiciously”, although they insisted there was not enough information to suggest the fire was suspicious.

Karen Donaldson, whose flat in Finlay Drive overlooks the Roslea Drive property, said she smelled the fire first and initially feared it was in her home.

The 30-year-old scientist, who lives with her husband Craig, said: “I saw the flat on fire and called the fire brigade. I got my stuff once the flames were shooting through the roof and got my neighbours out of the building and walked us two streets away to get away from the smoke.

“A kind woman took us in and gave us tea and coffee until half four and then we were taken to the school until we could get home.”

Ms Donaldson said she took a number of calls on Sunday morning from her local congregation, the Everlasting Arms church, concerned for her safety and she was grateful nobody was injured.

Keegan Friel, 27, could see the blaze from his back window and first heard the sound, comparing it to a fireworks display.

The civil servant said: “The whole corner was up in flames, at least seven-feet high. The emergency services were here quite quickly. I have never seen anything like it before and it’s not something I hope to see again.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “Most of the people evacuated to the rest centre have now made arrangements to stay with family or friends. Two families have been accommodated in the Hamish Allen Centre. They have been given financial assistance for

essentials like food.

“Building control officers are waiting to inspect the site as Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue continue their investigations into the cause of the fire.

“There is loose debris hanging from the building and an exclusion zone will be in place until the building can be made safe. The evacuees cannot be allowed to return home until it is safe to do so.”