Glasgow School of Art fire cause is 'undetermined'

A blaze ripped through the internationally renowned building on June 15, 2018, just as renovation work to repair damage caused by a fire in May, 2014.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has today published the findings of what was the most complex investigation undertaken by the national service.

However, despite examining hundreds of tonnes of debris, analysing witness testimony, CCTV and photographs, the cause has been recorded as "undetermined".

Ross Haggart, SFRS Deputy Chief Officer, said: “Our investigation into the devastating fire at the Glasgow School of Art has been a deeply complex and protracted process.

“Due to the nature of the ongoing restoration and construction works combined with other factors such as the air supply into the building, the fire was unfortunately able to take hold, spread and ultimately cause catastrophic damage.

“This presented a number of challenges to our investigation, namely working within a structurally dangerous site to physically examine hundreds of tonnes of debris which was up to four metres in height and heavily compacted.”

He added: “We are of course acutely aware of the cultural significance of the Mackintosh building and the pressing needs for answers.

READ MORE: Fire investigations ongoing after Glasgow School of Art blaze

“We scrutinised every aspect of this fire to ensure our investigation was as robust and thorough as possible.

“Unfortunately, almost everything within the building was severely damaged or consumed in the fire and that included any potential items of evidence that could have provided those answers.”

The findings come as a blow to art school staff, who had hoped the lengthy investigation would lead to answers.

Professor Penny Macbeth, Director of the art school and Kristen Bennie, Interim Chair of the GSA Board of Governors, released a joint statement regarding the report.

It reads: “Firstly, we would like to thank the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for their meticulous approach to this incredibly complex investigation, and for their steadfast commitment to establishing the facts and the cause of the 2018 fire.  

"It has been a very difficult time for the city, and in particular our closest neighbours, for students, staff and the wider heritage sector all of whom have been impacted in myriad ways by both Mackintosh Building fires.

"While the SFRS Fire Investigation Report is detailed and comprehensive, we share the regret that many will feel that the exact cause of the fire has not been identified.  

READ MORE: How the Glasgow School of Art fire unfolded

"Taking time to study and consider the report thoroughly, in particular the recommendations, we will now undertake and share a lessons learned exercise on all aspects of the restoration to inform future construction projects."

The alarm was first raised at 11.19pm on Friday, June 15, 2018 with 84 calls coming in to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service control centre.

Fire crews were on the scene within six minutes with 120 firefighters working at the height of the blaze, which spread to the neighbouring B-listed O2 ABC venue and other nearby buildings.

Findings from the report suggest it is likely the fire began in the east side of the Mack, as the building is nicknamed, on or above level four.

Flames were fed by an unlimited air supply through the duct system, intensifying the fire and causing it to spread rapidly.

Some 50% of the building was fully ablaze within 38 minutes of the arrival of firefighters.

There were no casualties and firefighting operations continued for 10 days. 

Jumpin Jaks Nightclub also suffered smoke and heat damage with minimal internal fire damage as further damage was stopped by fire crews.

The O2 ABC on Sauchiehall Street suffered major fire damage and structural collapse, the report says, despite extensive internal and external firefighting by SFRS crews.

The GSAs’ Reid Building, opposite the Mackintosh Buildings’ main entrance on Renfrew Street, was also damaged.

The report details the devastation caused to the Mack by the blaze.

It reads: "The damage to the internal structure was such that almost all the combustible materials had been consumed in the fire.

"All timber roof structures had been completely consumed.

"Remaining materials, including noncombustible stonework, concrete, brick, steel and other metals suffered various degrees of fire and heat damage.

"The large timber joists that held up floors forming the levels within the building no longer existed.

"Surface finishes to walls and ceilings that were once timber clad, or lath and plaster, had all been consumed in the fire.

"On the walls, only bare stone and brickwork remained."

Mr Haggart added: “We were unable to find sufficient evidence to support any credible origin and it has not been possible to establish a definitive cause. 

"However we have made a number of recommendations including the introduction of new mechanisms to enhance information sharing around ongoing construction projects within Scotland to ensure the safety of our firefighters and our communities.”

The art school statement goes on to talk about the future of the Mack building and plans to rebuild and restore the historic Rennie Mackintosh masterpiece.

It adds: "We are committed to the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building within the practical constraints of the regulatory environment, as an integral part of the GSA, as a catalyst and key driver for the social and economic revival of Garnethill and Glasgow and as an exemplar of sustainability for heritage buildings."

The 2014 fire was found to have been sparked when flammable gases from a canister of expanding foam came into contact with the hot surface of a projector.

It began in a studio being used by a student for an exhibition and voids in the walls and old ventilation ducts allowed the fire to spread towards the library.