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| Glasgow School of Art fire: UK government promises significant contribution | Glasgow School of Art fire: UK government promises significant contribution |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The UK government has said it will make a significant contribution towards the costs of restoring the Glasgow School of Art after it was ravaged by fire. | The UK government has said it will make a significant contribution towards the costs of restoring the Glasgow School of Art after it was ravaged by fire. |
| Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said the Charles Rennie Mackintosh building was "hugely important" for the whole of the UK. | Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said the Charles Rennie Mackintosh building was "hugely important" for the whole of the UK. |
| He said the government would contribute "in the millions, if necessary" to restore a "priceless gem". | He said the government would contribute "in the millions, if necessary" to restore a "priceless gem". |
| Scotland's culture secretary said everything must be done to restore it. | Scotland's culture secretary said everything must be done to restore it. |
| The fire service said it had saved most of the building's structure and contents. | The fire service said it had saved most of the building's structure and contents. |
| The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said more than 90% of the structure was viable and they had protected up to 70% of the contents. | The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said more than 90% of the structure was viable and they had protected up to 70% of the contents. |
| An ecumenical church service is being held at Renfield St Stephens in Bath Street for those affected by the fire. | |
| Mr Alexander, who was visiting the site on Saturday afternoon, said: "We've seen the appalling damage to the Glasgow School of Art. It's a hugely important building not just for Glasgow and Scotland but for the whole of the United Kingdom. | Mr Alexander, who was visiting the site on Saturday afternoon, said: "We've seen the appalling damage to the Glasgow School of Art. It's a hugely important building not just for Glasgow and Scotland but for the whole of the United Kingdom. |
| "The UK government will be willing to make a significant financial contribution towards the cost of rebuilding. | "The UK government will be willing to make a significant financial contribution towards the cost of rebuilding. |
| "Obviously at the moment we don't know the precise extent of the damage or what the costs will be, so I can't put a figure on it, but the chancellor and I have spoken this morning and we both think it is appropriate." | "Obviously at the moment we don't know the precise extent of the damage or what the costs will be, so I can't put a figure on it, but the chancellor and I have spoken this morning and we both think it is appropriate." |
| He added: "This is going to be a costly business but it's a very important landmark for the whole of the UK so we stand ready to provide an appropriate share of the funds that will be necessary to bring this hugely important building back to life." | He added: "This is going to be a costly business but it's a very important landmark for the whole of the UK so we stand ready to provide an appropriate share of the funds that will be necessary to bring this hugely important building back to life." |
| Earlier, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The important thing is to make sure this building can be restored to its full glory. | Earlier, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "The important thing is to make sure this building can be restored to its full glory. |
| "Just how we do that will depend on assessment of the immediate works. | "Just how we do that will depend on assessment of the immediate works. |
| "This is an internationally renowned building and I'm absolutely confident that we can rely on the interest in, and supporters of, Charles Rennie Mackintosh to make sure that we do everything we can." | "This is an internationally renowned building and I'm absolutely confident that we can rely on the interest in, and supporters of, Charles Rennie Mackintosh to make sure that we do everything we can." |
| Ms Hyslop said firefighters had carried out "quite a remarkable job". | Ms Hyslop said firefighters had carried out "quite a remarkable job". |
| "They worked tirelessly to try to protect this iconic building, so important to Scotland and so important to the world," she added. | "They worked tirelessly to try to protect this iconic building, so important to Scotland and so important to the world," she added. |
| Fire broke out at the listed building at about 12:30. | Fire broke out at the listed building at about 12:30. |
| Eyewitnesses said the fire appeared to have started when a projector exploded in the basement of the building on Renfrew Street in the city centre. | Eyewitnesses said the fire appeared to have started when a projector exploded in the basement of the building on Renfrew Street in the city centre. |
| Everyone who had been in the packed building was said to have escaped safely. | Everyone who had been in the packed building was said to have escaped safely. |
| Final year students had been preparing for their end-of-year degree show in the building when the blaze broke out. | Final year students had been preparing for their end-of-year degree show in the building when the blaze broke out. |
| The main blaze was extinguished by about 17:00. | The main blaze was extinguished by about 17:00. |
| The Mackintosh building, completed in 1909, is "unique" in that it is a working art school as well as a work of art. | The Mackintosh building, completed in 1909, is "unique" in that it is a working art school as well as a work of art. |
| It has an A list rating, meaning it has been classified by Historic Scotland for its age and rarity. | It has an A list rating, meaning it has been classified by Historic Scotland for its age and rarity. |
| From the facade to the fixtures and fittings every detail shows the craft of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Scotland's most-lauded designer. | From the facade to the fixtures and fittings every detail shows the craft of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Scotland's most-lauded designer. |
| It is not yet known how much damage has been caused to the building's library, recognised as being one of the finest examples of art nouveau in the world . | It is not yet known how much damage has been caused to the building's library, recognised as being one of the finest examples of art nouveau in the world . |
| In a statement issued at 21:30, Assistant Chief Officer Dave Boyle said crews had been working "absolutely flat out" in an effort to save "this treasured building and many of the items it housed". | In a statement issued at 21:30, Assistant Chief Officer Dave Boyle said crews had been working "absolutely flat out" in an effort to save "this treasured building and many of the items it housed". |
| He said: "While the priority from the outset was to save life we have also been working closely with Glasgow School of Art staff to ensure firefighters conducted an effective salvage operation. | He said: "While the priority from the outset was to save life we have also been working closely with Glasgow School of Art staff to ensure firefighters conducted an effective salvage operation. |
| "We are of course very conscious the Mackintosh is a world-renowned building that is a key feature of this great city, and that the artworks it stores are not only valuable but also cherished." | "We are of course very conscious the Mackintosh is a world-renowned building that is a key feature of this great city, and that the artworks it stores are not only valuable but also cherished." |
| ACO Boyle added: "We are acutely aware this period is the culmination of years of endeavour for students and that their irreplaceable work is inside the Mackintosh. | ACO Boyle added: "We are acutely aware this period is the culmination of years of endeavour for students and that their irreplaceable work is inside the Mackintosh. |
| "Work to save everything that can be saved is ongoing and we will continue to work closely with GSA staff and students throughout this operation." | "Work to save everything that can be saved is ongoing and we will continue to work closely with GSA staff and students throughout this operation." |
| Fire crews arrived on the scene within four minutes of the alarm being raised. | Fire crews arrived on the scene within four minutes of the alarm being raised. |
| Search and rescue teams led a number of people to safety. There were no reports of any casualties. | Search and rescue teams led a number of people to safety. There were no reports of any casualties. |
| Police cordoned off Renfrew Street, and smoke was also drifting across the M8. Large crowds of students and onlookers gathered near the scene, with several people in tears as they watched the events unfold. | Police cordoned off Renfrew Street, and smoke was also drifting across the M8. Large crowds of students and onlookers gathered near the scene, with several people in tears as they watched the events unfold. |
| Broadcaster Muriel Gray, a former student and current chairwoman of the school, arrived and burst into tears when she saw the building in flames. | Broadcaster Muriel Gray, a former student and current chairwoman of the school, arrived and burst into tears when she saw the building in flames. |
| Ms Gray told BBC Scotland she was "heartbroken" to see the "most amazing building in Glasgow" go up in flames. | Ms Gray told BBC Scotland she was "heartbroken" to see the "most amazing building in Glasgow" go up in flames. |
| Speaking later, she added: "It has been a devastating day for everybody involved in Glasgow School of Art. We want to make it clear we are so grateful to the fire service. It's a very black day." | Speaking later, she added: "It has been a devastating day for everybody involved in Glasgow School of Art. We want to make it clear we are so grateful to the fire service. It's a very black day." |
| Asked how the building could be restored, Ms Gray said: "We don't know what's been destroyed. It's a waiting game." | Asked how the building could be restored, Ms Gray said: "We don't know what's been destroyed. It's a waiting game." |
| Austin Yuill, who works as a chef at the art school, told the BBC: "I'm told it started in the basement and it's worked its way all the way up through the five floors. | Austin Yuill, who works as a chef at the art school, told the BBC: "I'm told it started in the basement and it's worked its way all the way up through the five floors. |
| "As far as I know it started from a spark which has gone on to foam, expanding foam." | "As far as I know it started from a spark which has gone on to foam, expanding foam." |
| Charles Rennie Mackintosh is lauded as Scotland's most influential architect and designer, with the art school building which bears his name considered by many to be his greatest masterpiece. | Charles Rennie Mackintosh is lauded as Scotland's most influential architect and designer, with the art school building which bears his name considered by many to be his greatest masterpiece. |
| Mackintosh was a 28-year-old junior draughtsman at a Glasgow architecture firm when he drew up the designs for the building, which features distinctive heavy sandstone walls and large windows. | Mackintosh was a 28-year-old junior draughtsman at a Glasgow architecture firm when he drew up the designs for the building, which features distinctive heavy sandstone walls and large windows. |
| The dramatic art nouveau design took about 12 years to be completed, opening in 1909, but it signalled the birth of a new style in 20th Century European architecture. | The dramatic art nouveau design took about 12 years to be completed, opening in 1909, but it signalled the birth of a new style in 20th Century European architecture. |
| The president of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, Iain Connelly, said the value of the building "goes well beyond Glasgow or even Scotland". | The president of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, Iain Connelly, said the value of the building "goes well beyond Glasgow or even Scotland". |
| He added: "It is a work of architectural heritage of world renown and its influence on 20th Century architecture is immeasurable. Scotland has seen the loss of an international treasure which reflects the genius of one of our greatest ever architects." | He added: "It is a work of architectural heritage of world renown and its influence on 20th Century architecture is immeasurable. Scotland has seen the loss of an international treasure which reflects the genius of one of our greatest ever architects." |
| In recent years, Glasgow School of Art has produced many of the UK's leading contemporary artists such as Douglas Gordon and David Shrigley and three recent Turner Prize winners: Simon Starling in 2005, Richard Wright in 2009 and Martin Boyce in 2011. | In recent years, Glasgow School of Art has produced many of the UK's leading contemporary artists such as Douglas Gordon and David Shrigley and three recent Turner Prize winners: Simon Starling in 2005, Richard Wright in 2009 and Martin Boyce in 2011. |
| Other former students include actors Robbie Coltrane and Peter Capaldi and artist Peter Howson. | Other former students include actors Robbie Coltrane and Peter Capaldi and artist Peter Howson. |