Stunned public take to Twitter to express shock as Glasgow School of Art blaze rages
Members of the public have flocked to Twitter to express their shock and devastation as flames engulfed Glasgow’s iconic School of Art. The building, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, went ablaze at around noon on today (23 May) and firefighters have been battling to bring it under control. Students and passers-by were quick to post images of the scene on Twitter and Facebook as the fire took hold, and as the situation worsened people spoke of their horror at the damage to a historic building of huge cultural signifance. Stuart Gilmour, owner of Glasgow-based communications agency Stand and a former student at Glasgow School of Art, told The Drum that the developments were “truly devastating” and that there was real shock in Glasgow at the unfolding scene. “I genuinely feel quite sick about it,” he said. “I’ve been on Facebook over the last few minutes with lots of ex-students who all feel the same. We’re all quite shaken by it, there’s a whole mix of emotions coming on.” Glasgow School of Art is keeping the public up to date via its @GSofA feed after its website crashed under increased traffic.
Devastating to see part of Glasgow's heart and soul being reduced to cinders #GSA pic.twitter.com/TWhDNrgdo1
— Martyn McLaughlin (@MartynMcL) May 23, 2014Some people very emotional here on Rose Street behind police tape. Hard to watch flames rising from Mack.
— Phil Miller (@PhilipJEMiller) May 23, 2014
Never mind BGT/XFactor/nitwitBBCetc. The current fire at Glasgow School Of Art is a PROPER disaster for UK culture. pic.twitter.com/yqjkD0cuSE
— Danny Kelly (@dannykellywords) May 23, 2014
School of art burning. People weeping in the street. #Glasgow pic.twitter.com/YFCdcrIOEE
— Kelvin Holdsworth (@thurible) May 23, 2014
Terrible news: one of our greatest buildings “@Dezeen: Breaking news: Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art on fire http://t.co/IgCvXPc2su”
— Paul Goldberger (@paulgoldberger) May 23, 2014
Feeling very sad for the staff and students at Glasgow School of Art right now. Just as the students art work is going on display to.
— Jake Quincey (@jakequincey) May 23, 2014
Glasgow School of Art is on fire! How awful. One of the most beautiful buildings I have ever visited. Glad it was evacuated safely.
— Isa Seminega (@isaseminega) May 23, 2014
#GSA #Glasgow art school flames have subsided, corridor along roof destroyed, still plenty of smoke. Horrid. pic.twitter.com/AHztc4rjyy
— Greig Byrne (@DarthG1nger) May 23, 2014
This can't happen. We can't lose Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art. It's unthinkable.
— Hugh Pearman (@hughpearman) May 23, 2014
One of the most beautiful and important works of art in the world. My heart is breaking. @ The Glasgow… http://t.co/lrl93li2NV
— Chris (@Foxfontaine) May 23, 2014