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Glasgow School of Art fire: UK government to help pay for repairs Glasgow School of Art fire: UK government to help fund repairs
(about 2 hours later)
The government will help pay for repairs to the Glasgow School of Art after it was damaged by fire, it has been announced. The "iconic and unique" library at Glasgow School of Art has been lost in the fire that swept through the building. After an inspection of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh structure on Saturday, the school revealed that the majority of the structure was "intact".
The chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, promised that central government would give millions of pounds if necessary to restore the world-renowned Charles Rennie Mackintosh building. Broadcaster Muriel Gray, the art school's chairwoman, said the institution's archives had also been saved. She said: "Bad news first is that we have lost the iconic and unique Mackintosh library. This is an enormous blow and we are understandably devastated. But the most amazing, almost miraculous news is that the majority of the building is still intact.
The Scottish administration has already said it will do all it can to assist in the rebuilding of what is regarded as one of the finest architectural works in the UK. "Due to one of the most astonishingly intelligent and professional pieces of strategy by the fire services, they succeeded in protecting the vast majority of the building, apparently by forming a human wall of firefighters up the west end of the main staircase and containing the fire."
Speaking in Glasgow on Saturday, Alexander said: "It's a hugely important building, not just for Glasgow and Scotland, but for the whole of the United Kingdom. Earlier, the fire service said that around 90% of the building has been salvaged and up to 70% of its contents saved. No one was injured in the fire, but art lovers, architects and famous former students spoke of their sorrow at seeing the building in flames. Smoke could still be seen rising from the charred windows of the school this morning – 24 hours after the flames took hold.
"I can tell you that the UK government will be willing to make a significant financial contribution towards the cost of rebuilding. The fire service has yet to confirm the cause of the blaze, which some students have suggested could have started in the basement when a spark from a projector ignited a piece of foam. Students were busy putting the finishing touches to their work in preparation for the art school's annual degree show when the fire broke out at around 12.30pm on Friday.
"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." As well as housing one of Europe's leading art schools, the listed building is a tourist attraction in its own right. Completed at the turn of the 20th century, it was voted the best building of the past 175 years in a poll by the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba).
Pressed on what the UK contribution would be, Alexander said: "We could make contributions in the millions if that is necessary." Gray said the damage was "considerably less" than feared and that although some students had lost some or all of their work, many others had been luckier. She said staff and curators would be able to enter the building to assess what could be salvaged in the next few days.
Scotland's education secretary, Michael Russell, said earlier: "My thoughts are with the staff and students of Glasgow School of Art at this distressing time. "The joy that our archives are safe combines with the delight in seeing most of our beloved building bruised and battered but most certainly not destroyed. As for the library, Mackintosh was not famous for working in precious materials. It was his vision that was precious and we are confident that we can re-create what was lost as faithfully as possible.
"The Scottish government will do all it can to help the school rebuild and to ensure that all those students affected are supported and can continue with their studies." "Our main concern right now is the welfare of the students and the impending graduation, and everyone is working hard together to achieve the best outcome for all."
Fire chiefs were assessing the damage following the fire on Friday. Despite fears that much of the building was wrecked in the blaze, they suggested that around 90% of it had been salvaged and up to 70% of its contents were safe. She thanked the public for the "warmth of support" and said she had "run out of words" with which to thank firefighters. "But the school has most certainly gained a new gallery of heroes," she added.
The fire service has yet to confirm the cause of the fire, which some students have suggested started in the basement when a spark from a projector caught a piece of foam. Earlier, the government announced it would help pay for repairs. The chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, promised that central government would give millions of pounds if necessary to restore the world-renowned building. The Scottish administration has already said it will do all it can to assist in the rebuilding of what is regarded as one of the finest architectural works in the UK.
Smoke could still be seen rising from the charred windows of the school on Saturday, 24 hours after the flames took hold. Speaking in Glasgow on Saturday, Alexander said: "It's a hugely important building, not just for Glasgow and Scotland, but for the whole of the United Kingdom. I can tell you that the UK government will be willing to make a significant financial contribution towards the cost of rebuilding."
Students were busy putting the finishing touches to their work in preparation for the art school's annual degree show when the fire broke out at around 12.30pm. Scotland's education secretary, Michael Russell, said: "My thoughts are with the staff and students of Glasgow School of Art at this distressing time. The Scottish government will do all it can to help the school rebuild and to ensure that all those students affected are supported and can continue with their studies."
No one was injured in the fire but students, art lovers, architects and Glasgow officials spoke of their sorrow at seeing the iconic building in flames. Many were in tears on the streets outside as firefighters battled the blaze.
As well as housing one of Europe's leading art schools, the listed Mackintosh-designed building is a tourist attraction in its own right.
Completed at the turn of the 20th century, it was voted as the best building of the past 175 years in a poll by the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba).
Riba's president, Stephen Hodder, said: "Damage to a building of such immense significance and uniqueness is an international tragedy. It is irreplaceable."Riba's president, Stephen Hodder, said: "Damage to a building of such immense significance and uniqueness is an international tragedy. It is irreplaceable."
The Scottish fire and rescue service said work was continuing to save and protect the building and its contents.The Scottish fire and rescue service said work was continuing to save and protect the building and its contents.