WAKE UP TO THE RISKS

Appeal for tougher legislation for stores seen as 'powderkegs'. Relief that Glasgow Central railway station wasn't destroyed.

- BY MARK McGIVERN

EIGHT OF THE FIRE Firefighter GUTTED The fact is lithium fires, that could be what was at play, are a devil to extinguish. PAUL GREENEY CHANGES AT THE FIRE

A CRACKDOWN on safety in vape shops has been demanded after a shop "full of incendiary devices" sparked the fire that brought Glasgow to a standstill.

Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney spoke out after the landmark Union Corner building was reduced to rubble by the blaze which started in a vape shop on the ground floor.

Sweeney says the destruction should be a wake-up call to the authorities to "get a grip" on vape shop regulations.

The Labour politician said the profusion of vape shops selling items with lithium batteries means tougher safety measures need to be implemented and rigorously regulated.

He said: "It is lamentable, heartbreaking that a proud building that stood on Union Street for 176 years may have been destroyed due to apparent negligence at a shop that has been in operation for a few months.

"It's too early to apportion blame but this scandal makes it clear that a line must immediately be drawn in the sand for building controls.

"It is as plain as day that any business that uses lithium batteries should be held to extremely high safety standards and inspected regularly. A vape shop is potentially a place that is full of potential incendiary devices, a powderkeg if it is not managed properly.

"The question that looms large is just how many vape shops have sprung up in recent years, who is behind them and what diligence is being done to ensure that they are safe."