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Fire rips through derelict Scotway House harbour landmark in Partick

Fire crews tackle a fire at a derelict landmark that has famous links to the shipbuilding industry on the Clyde

A fire has ripped through a derelict landmark on a prominent harbour site that has been earmarked for redevelopment.

Fire crews were called to tackle the blaze at Scotway House on Castlebank Street, Partick.

The building, which has famous links to the shipbuilding industry, sits next to the River Clyde and Riverside Museum in the west end of the city. The fire was reported around 9pm on Friday.

Blaze: A fire crew remained at the scene to dampen down the fire with roads in the area still closed

Castlebank Street was still closed on Saturday morning between Pointhouse Place, at the museum, and Hayburn Street as a fire crew remained at the scene.

A fire service spokeswoman said further information would be made available in due course.

The area around Glasgow Harbour is currently undergoing development as part of a major commercial regeneration plan.

In August last year it was reported that the historic building could become part of a new student flats development.

Ravaged: Fire takes hold of the derelict building by the harbour in Partick. Credit Jill Ferguson

Developer Glasgow Harbour had lodged an application to include the B listed Scotway House into a complex with 407 flats for students.

The property, which was built in 1885 and is now on the Buildings at Risk Register, was formerly the drawing office for engineers and ship building firm D&W Henderson.

Plans for the original royal yacht - the predecessor of the Britannia - and a number of high class liners were drawn up in the office.

In 2002, there was a move to demolish the building and three years later, Glasgow Harbour requested permission to dismantle it brick by brick and rebuild it in the heart of the development as a pub and restaurant.

Landmark: Scotway House had links to the shipbuilding industry on the Clyde

But, following discussions with Historic Scotland, it was decided the building should stay on its site.

By 2007, it was part of a construction site with all the windows boarded-over and the site is secured.

It is understood there were also plans to make it part of the entrance square to the new Riverside Museum.

The building became a landmark for motorists on the nearby Clyde Expressway when buildings around it were demolished to make way for the Glasgow Harbour development.

The building is close to where more than a thousand student flats are being built at Kelvinhaugh Street and Beith Street.

Investigations: Authorities will try to establish what caused the fire

People took to social media to post pictures of the blaze and comment. Partick resident Jill Henderson posted a video saying: "The old customs building "Scotway House" on Pointhouse Road, Partick. Up in flames.....AGAIN!

"Sadly the end of an era. Demolition could be inevitable. Despite its being derelict so many years. It was still a lovely building in its time.

"The West end of Glasgow is shrouded in thick, acrid smoke."

Others speculated that vandals were to blame.

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