Glasgow Fire

Allira

The hero of the hour was an immigrant, Lamin Kongira, who tried to put out the fire then managed to get another person away before the building exploded.

There were two young local lads who tried to put the fire out too, Callum Robertson and Aydin Boyd. They don't seem to be making the news outside Scotland, guess it's not such a good story.

Maremia

Vape shops need to be vetted now to find out how fire safe they are.

Certainly!

How many more 'ticking timebombs' are in our high streets?

Vape shops are targeted over here in Oz all the time to the extent that a lot of shopping centres won’t allow them . We have a lot of illegal tobacco mainly because cigs are very expensive here. Organised crime runs it .

I’m deeply saddened by the loss of this beautiful building. My father always told me to look up whenever we were walking in Glasgow, the dome was one of the many sights I remember him pointing out to me as a child.

So many people have lost their livelihoods.

My thoughts exactly Friedgreentomatoes2. My very first thought, when I heard it on the radio, was - I wonder which idiots on the council approved the siting of a vape shop so close to the station.

If that's our first thought then why is it not their first thought?!

It is a real shame whenever an old and beautiful building is destroyed, thankfully no lives were lost.

Lithium batteries are stable unless they are tampered with, over heated or of dubious origin/manufacturing.

Let’s hope this is a wake up call to Scottish and UK authorities when licensing these premises.

I think it has been GG13

Maybe they don't want to be interviewed. OldFrill.
Were they the two lads who dragged that person away just before the explosion?

Maremia

Maybe they don't want to be interviewed. OldFrill.
Were they the two lads who dragged that person away just before the explosion?

It was reported here that that was Lamin Kongira.

I know Allira, but the fire took a while to get going, and there were others who tried to help.

As you say, not generally reported.
I only know what was reported on/in the news.

Apologies if it is erroneous.

No Allira, your post is correct.

I live in Glasgow. The owner of the shop has been found. He wasn't "permitted" to have the shop - he didn't have planning permission, or a licence, or, it turns out, any kind of fire extinguisher. When the fire started he ran away. A passer by was the first to call the fire brigade. The owner says he's very upset. As well he might be. It's got nothing to do with immigration.

Thanks for the update. So, the 'immigration ' comments appear to be gratuitous.

ferry23

Just looking at the devastation caused by the fire yesterday. Sad to see an historic building virtually wiped out.

It appears that a small number of the shopkeepers affected have started GoFundMe appeals to replace equipment, stock and supplies, readily admitting that they don't have contents insurance.

I can't make up my mind who are more stupid - the shopkeepers for not trading responsibly and expecting others to pay for their mistake and poor business sense, or the people who have actually donated.

Both as stupid in my view.
Shows that vape shops are dangerous as well as horrible.

janestheone

I live in Glasgow. The owner of the shop has been found. He wasn't "permitted" to have the shop - he didn't have planning permission, or a licence, or, it turns out, any kind of fire extinguisher. When the fire started he ran away. A passer by was the first to call the fire brigade. The owner says he's very upset. As well he might be. It's got nothing to do with immigration.

Immigration aside, his illegal enterprise has caused irreplaceable damage.

janestheone

I live in Glasgow. The owner of the shop has been found. He wasn't "permitted" to have the shop - he didn't have planning permission, or a licence, or, it turns out, any kind of fire extinguisher. When the fire started he ran away. A passer by was the first to call the fire brigade. The owner says he's very upset. As well he might be. It's got nothing to do with immigration.

Arslan Ali, the owner, ways he only bought the shop two weeks ago 😲

Witzend

Aren’t a lot of vape shops outlets for money laundering, anyway?

Yes, along with Turkish Barbers and nail bars.

I find it quite irresponsible for a business,anyone,not to have insurance and expect crowdfunding to sort it out! I get it's expensive but if you cannot affordit do not set up a business.

janestheone

I live in Glasgow. The owner of the shop has been found. He wasn't "permitted" to have the shop - he didn't have planning permission, or a licence, or, it turns out, any kind of fire extinguisher. When the fire started he ran away. A passer by was the first to call the fire brigade. The owner says he's very upset. As well he might be. It's got nothing to do with immigration.

Where was this reported?
There is much, understandably, conflicting information on SM and this certainly isn't my understanding of events.

Where was this reported
* janestheone*?

Would be good to get a link to it if possible.

I’m close to glasgow and I haven’t read anything like this?

mae13

Maremia

Vape shops need to be vetted now to find out how fire safe they are.

Certainly!

How many more 'ticking timebombs' are in our high streets?

Or in your home. Or your garage. Or the home and garage of your neighbour.

I'm talking about the lithium ion batteries
commonly found in cellphones, power tools, digital cameras, laptops, children's toys, e-cigarettes, robot vacuums, small and large appliances, tablets, e-readers, lawn care equipment, and e-bikes

www.gov.uk/guidance/statutory-guidelines-on-lithium-ion-battery-safety-for-e-bikes

"Lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes can pose a serious fire risk through a process known as thermal runaway. At least 10 fatalities occurred in fires started in e-bikes or e-scooters powered by lithium-ion batteries in the UK in 2023, with almost 200 fires recorded.".

Granniesunite

Where was this reported
* janestheone*?

Would be good to get a link to it if possible.

I’m close to glasgow and I haven’t read anything like this?

www.heraldscotland.com/news/25923806.glasgow-union-street-fire-vape-shop-failed-pay-business-rates/

www.theferret.scot/revealed-company-behind-vape-shop-fire-had-not-paying-business-rates-or-registered-to-sell-vapes/

www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/16017417/glasgow-vape-shop-owner-fire/

The owner of the shop may have behaved badly and illegally but do we actually know the cause of the fire? I think the owner should be prosecuted up hill and down dale for the failure to report the fire and trading illegally. Thank goodness that nobody was killed.

I wonder who insured the building?