The GSA’s listed Mackintosh library building caught fire in 2018 after a previous blaze in 2014. Sprinklers ‘had not been fitted’ after the first fire, which ‘almost entirely destroyed’ the library in May 2014. A spokesperson for the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) stated at first that ‘it was understood’ that automatic sprinklers had not been fully fitted due to the building undergoing refurbishment’.
Later, a report found that flammable insulation panels were used in the refurbishment, and fire inspectors are still investigating ‘whether these’ materials used ‘exacerbated the spread’, but described the insulation panels as ‘similar to those used’ on Grenfell Tower. In September, a fire safety expert criticised the use of flammable insulation, and in November 2018 an architect claimed that the fire was due to ‘seriously flawed’ fire safety planning on site.
Later that month, the GSA defended its management, specifically responding that no link ‘could be made’ between this and the two fires. More recently, building company Kier refused to release a key report unless it was redacted, meaning Scottish politicians in charge of the inquiry had to reject its submission.
In January this year, the investigation was told that the fire protection system was ‘ineffective’ at the time of the fire, before the GSA issued a ‘trenchant’ response to those claims and others at the Scottish government’s inquiry into the blaze, and in February it was announced that the alarm ‘was not raised’ when the fire took hold.
BBC News has now reported that the SFRS investigation is in its ‘final phases’, though the fire and rescue service pointed out that ‘several hundred tonnes’ of debris remained and still ‘had to be removed’ from the site. Investigators have examined two separate sectors after removing 400 tonnes of debris, and have also ‘scoured hundreds of hours of CCTV footage’ alongside taking witness statement.
However, despite this it noted that before the ‘final stages’ can take place, more debris must be removed from what it called a ‘complex site’, with SFRS’ assistant chief fire officer Ross Haggart commenting that SFRS was working alongside contractors to remove the ‘significant volume’ of remaining debris.
Mr Haggart added: ‘The fire investigation remains focused on likely origin and cause - but against the backdrop of an unprecedented large scale fire scene within a complex and challenging site. Our fire investigation team is working hard based on what remains within the building once the debris is removed, alongside all other evidence available to them.’
Since the investigation began the night of the fire, SFRS has reviewed 70 pieces of information including photos and videos from eyewitnesses, with the investigation led by fire service group manager David Dourley. He noted that the final phases would be ‘challenging’ due to the debris, adding: ‘It is also a challenging site and we will require, at times, to work within confined spaces," he said.
‘But safety is paramount and each time we move to begin an excavation or go onto the site we will consult with Glasgow School of Art and also the on-site contractor. We would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue our efforts.’
Local residents and businesses who were unable to return to properties ‘for several months’ have criticised the GSA, with resident Angela Simpson unable to fully return to her home for three months, having heard ‘nothing’ from the school. She stated: ‘We are across the road from the art school. We are all neighbours. It doesn’t take two minutes to just rattle up a little letter and pop it through everybody's doors.
‘I want to know who is responsible for the fire because it is somebody’s fault. There is somebody, or a variety of bodies, that were to blame but you need to see the facts first before you start shouting “it was your fault”.’
In turn, photographer Christopher Bone said his business had been ‘severely damaged’ despite his property not having been, commenting: ‘I had to cancel a lot of work. There’s a strange Catch 22 situation with insurance that because my building was not damaged - no smoke damage - my insurance didn't kick in.’
A spokesman for the GSA said: ‘The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service investigation into the fire of the 15 June 2018 when Keir Construction Scotland Ltd were in full day-to-day control of the site is still ongoing. As the SFRS have said, this is an incredibly complex investigation and we are working closely with them to ensure they get all necessary access to the Mackintosh building.
‘We remain committed to bringing back the Mack as Mackintosh designed it for the benefit of our students, for Glasgow and for the wider world.’