Glasgow market fire credit Jim Stitt

The fire service and emergency services were called to the market on Blochairn Road at around 4am on 17 August Photo: Jim Stitt

Glasgow wholesale market has responded stoically to yesterday’s fire, which is thought to have engulfed 90 per cent of the site.

The blaze, which began at peak trading time in the early hours of Thursday morning (17 August), caused 400 people to be evacuated but did not cause any casualties or loss of life, Glasgow’s fire and rescue service confirmed on Twitter.

Parts of the market have already been reopened to traders.

“Emergency services have confirmed that they have partially reopened the market with the affected areas currently being cordoned off,” tweeted City Property Markets, which operates Scotland’s largest wholesale fruit, veg and fish markets.

In another post, the market operator wrote: “Site now open to Failte Foods, fish market traders, as well as those trading from stances A1 to A11, F1 to F10 and D7 to D10.”

Thanks to the combined efforts of the emergency services, traders, council services and City Property staff, part of the market was reopened last night and through into this morning (18 August) to allow trading to continue.

“As soon as the fire was extinguished and the site made safe, our priority was to ensure our tenants could return to business as soon as possible,” City Property Markets reported in a press release.

The company added: “The west warehouse building within the markets depot, as well as previously vacant units, have been made available for those tenants who had their premises damaged by the fire so they can continue trading.

“We are providing all possible support to assist our tenants affected at this time and will continue to explore ways that we can improve the current situation.”

It has also been confirmed that a farmer’s market, due to take place on the south side of the site on Saturday 19 August, will go ahead as planned.