Glasgow School of Art in danger of ‘sudden collapse’
Image copyright Police ScotlandParts of the Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh building are to be dismantled after it was ravaged by fire earlier this month.
Glasgow City Council said surveys had revealed substantial movement in the building's walls and that a sudden collapse of parts of it was likely.
Work to partially dismantle sections of the building is expected to begin as a "matter of urgency".
The building, which was completed in 1909, was gutted by fire on 15 June.
The city council said remote surveys and close-in surveys from baskets suspended from cranes above the charred remains of the structure had revealed more substantial movement in its walls than previously thought.
'Dangerous nature'
They have concluded that a sudden collapse of parts of the building was likely, rather than possible.
The statement said: "There is now a requirement to at least partially dismantle sections of the building as a matter of urgency.
"However, the dangerous nature of the site - which includes the Mackintosh building and the O2 ABC - is such that it will take around two days to devise a methodology for taking down the south facade, which is the most seriously affected part of the building.
"The west gable of the Mackintosh building has continued to deteriorate and the east gable has continued to move outwards.
"It is not possible at this time to say exactly when the work will begin, but it will be as soon as possible."
'Observe the cordon'
The council has also warned about the risk of falling bricks or stonework on Sauchiehall Street.
Raymond Barlow, the authority's head of building control, said: "With each passing day a sudden collapse becomes more likely.
"It has become urgent that we take down the south facade. As the process begins, it will be likely that the other walls will also need to be reduced.
"We do not know what effect this will have on the rest of the building, so I have to be clear this site remains dangerous and is becoming more dangerous.
"It is particularly important that people observe the cordon which remains in place."
The fire was the second blaze in four years at the Charles Rennie Mackintosh building.
It was still undergoing renovations from the 2014 fire when it was engulfed by flames. The renovated Mackintosh library had been due to reopen next year.
