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Glasgow School of Art Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Glasgow School of Art blaze: '90% of structure viable and 70% of contents saved,' fire service says

By Angela Haggerty, Reporter

May 24, 2014 | 3 min read

Firefighters say more than 90 per cent of the Glasgow School of Art structure is still “viable” and up to 70 per cent of its contents have been saved following a massive blaze on Friday.

Blaze: Firefighters are hopeful that the structure has been saved

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service battled for hours to control the fire, which took hold at around noon on Friday, and members of the public, students and arts figures spoke of their devastation at the unfolding scenes.

Having brought the fire under control, assistant chief officer Dave Boyle said on Friday night: “Work to save everything that can be saved is ongoing and we will continue to work closely with GSA staff and students throughout this operation.

“While the priority from the outset was to save life we have also been working closely with Glasgow School of Art staff to ensure firefighters conducted an effective salvage operation.”

Boyle added that firefighters had worked “absolutely flat out” to try and save “this treasured building and many of the items it housed”.

When the fire started, students were putting final touches to their work for exhibition in a degree show.

“We are acutely aware this period is the culmination of years of endeavour for students and that their irreplaceable work is inside the Mackintosh,” Boyle said.

London Design Museum director Deyan Sudjic described seeing images of the blaze as “like watching acid being thrown at a Rothko canvas”, while former student and owner of Glasgow communications agency Stand, Stuart Gilmour, said the potential damage was “truly devastating”.

The listed building was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and construction was completed in 1909. While the building has become a cultural icon and tourist attraction, it has continued to be a working space for students.

As the fire took hold, the public took to Twitter to express shock and sadness.

Glasgow School of Art Charles Rennie Mackintosh

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