GLASGOW CENTRAL FIRE: Scottish Greens reaction
Scottish Greens Glasgow MSP, Patrick Harvie praised Glasgow’s firefighters and emergency services following the devastating fire on Union Street, while calling for greater regulation on businesses selling vape products.
Reports indicate the blaze began in a vape shop, highlighting the potential risks associated with storing hazardous materials found in vapes, such as lithium batteries, and the wider need for further regulation and scrutiny over how and where vape shops operate.
The Scottish Greens have campaigned consistently throughout this parliamentary session to tackle the harms associated with vapes, including leading calls to ban disposable vapes and pushing for stronger regulation of vape products and retailers.
“My thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating fire last night and I also want to pay particular tribute to the firefighters and emergency services who worked through extremely difficult conditions to bring the blaze under control and keep people safe. Their professionalism and bravery ensured that, despite the large scale of the incident, there have been no reported casualties.
“Buildings that have stood for generations are an integral part of Glasgow’s architectural heritage and identity. But there has also been a devastating impact on small businesses, including some who have literally just opened their doors. Seeing such destruction in the heart of our city is deeply upsetting for many people across Glasgow, including me.
“For now, the priority must remain supporting the affected businesses, residents and workers, and ensuring emergency crews have everything they need as they continue their work on site. It is important that we allow emergency services the time and space to establish the facts of what happened on Union Street.
Patrick added:
“We don’t know the full details about how the fire began, but the initial coverage raises serious questions about the regulation of vape shops and if they should be allowed to operate so close to critical infrastructure like major transport hubs.
“Scotland cannot continue to let harmful industries operate with fewer checks than a corner shop selling alcohol, and change is long overdue. Storing cheap, mass produced batteries is inherently dangerous, so stronger regulation and scrutiny of businesses doing so is urgently needed.”