Blaze rips through Glasgow shops

Over 60 firefighters were called upon to tackle the fire which occurred in retail units in the Gallowgate area of the city at around 10.30pm last night.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said its crews were met with "difficult and dangerous" conditions when they arrived at the fire at the back of a row of two-storey shops.

Firefighters were still dowsing pockets of the blaze this morning.

A spokeswoman said the fire in the basement and ground floor caused the partial collapse of the front of the building.

She said: "The firefighters were met with difficult and dangerous conditions, however due to their sheer tenacity and courage, they brought the blaze under control.

"The fire involves a row of traditional shops near to the "Barras" with a considerable amount of damage being caused by the fire including the partial collapse of the front wall of one of the shops."

Gallowgate remained closed to traffic between Glasgow Cross and Moir Street today.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.