On the evening of December 27, 2025, Glasgow’s Merchant City was thrown into turmoil as a fierce fire broke out on Virginia Street, engulfing the upper floors of the Revolver Hotel and sending thick plumes of smoke into the winter sky. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) described the incident as a “well-developed fire” that rapidly consumed the fourth floor of the four-storey building, prompting a swift and extensive emergency response.
The first calls for help came in at 6:18 PM, according to the SFRS, who reported being alerted to a blaze at a commercial premises on Virginia Street. Within minutes, fire engines from across the city converged on the scene. Initial reports indicated that six fire appliances and two high-reach appliances were dispatched, but as the seriousness of the situation became clear, the number of fire engines involved rose to eight, as confirmed by BBC and The Herald. Firefighters, working in freezing temperatures and facing the challenge of flames leaping from the roof, battled the inferno well into the evening hours.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and urgency as black smoke billowed from the building, visible from blocks away. Social media lit up with images and videos showing huge flames pouring from the rooftop, near the upmarket House of Gods hotel. One witness, posting on X (formerly Twitter), shared, “Big fire in Glasgow City Centre, near Wilson Street,” capturing the shock that reverberated through the city’s heart.
As the fire raged, emergency services moved quickly to protect life and property. Guests at the Revolver Hotel were evacuated with remarkable speed and efficiency. The House of Gods Hotel, Spires Serviced Suites, and the historic Trades Hall—one of Glasgow’s oldest venues—were also evacuated as a precaution. The charity Homeless Project Scotland, which operates a soup kitchen on nearby Glassford Street, was forced to close its doors and evacuate all staff and service users. In a statement posted to social media, the organization reassured the public, “Everyone is safe. For safety reasons, the soup kitchen is now closed until further notice while the situation is assessed.”
As the incident unfolded, the city’s infrastructure felt the impact. Glassford Street, a major artery in the Merchant City, was closed to all traffic between Ingram Street and Trongate. Glasgow City Council issued a statement advising, “Due to a building fire, Glassford Street has been closed to all traffic between Ingram Street and Trongate. Road users are advised to avoid this area.” Motorists and pedestrians alike were urged to steer clear, as emergency vehicles and fire crews took command of the scene.
By about 8:00 PM, the worst of the flames had been subdued, though firefighters remained on ladders, dousing smoldering hotspots and working to prevent any resurgence. The SFRS confirmed that, despite the ferocity of the blaze and the dramatic scenes witnessed by onlookers, there were no reported casualties. A spokesperson for the fire service told The Herald, “There are no reported casualties and crews remain on the scene.”
The fire’s proximity to notable city landmarks heightened concerns, particularly for the historic buildings that give Merchant City its unique character. Labour MSP Paul Sweeney, a board member of the Glasgow City Heritage Trust, posted on X, “Awful to see a fire break out in the roof of the Revolver Hotel and Polo Lounge. I hope no one is hurt and the fire can be contained. The old Scottish Legal Life Building by Alexander Skirving dates from 1889 and is one of Glasgow’s earliest red sandstone commercial buildings.” The potential loss or damage to such heritage sites weighed heavily on the minds of many Glaswegians.
Mike Baxter, founder of House of Gods, echoed the sense of relief and gratitude that, despite the chaos, everyone was safe. “First and foremost — everyone on our side is safe and we’ve been informed that the fire is now contained. Emergency services attended immediately and were incredibly grateful for their swift response. Our team acted with exceptional professionalism and I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved and thank our guests affected for their understanding. What we don’t know is the extent of any damage to House of Gods, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will share updates when they become available. We at this time have no information regarding the situation next door and our thoughts are with them.”
For the city’s emergency services, the fire was a stern test of readiness and coordination. The SFRS spokesperson detailed the response: “We were alerted at 6:19pm on Saturday December 27, to reports of a fire within a commercial premise on Virginia Street, Glasgow. Operations control mobilised six appliances to the scene when crews were met with a well developed fire, affecting the fourth floor of a four story building.” The scale of the operation, involving up to eight appliances and multiple high-reach units, underscored the seriousness of the threat posed by the blaze.
Police Scotland was contacted for comment as the situation continued to be assessed late into the night. Meanwhile, the closure of Glassford Street and the evacuation of several buildings created significant disruption, but the consensus among officials and the public was that safety had to come first. The Trades Hall, in a statement, said, “Unfortunately due to a fire near Polo Lounge, The Trades Hall has been evacuated as a safety precaution along with House of Gods, Spires Serviced Suites and Homeless Project Scotland. Glassford Street is also closed. There will be no access to Trades Hall until the fire officers give permission to re-enter the building.”
As the embers cooled and the investigation into the cause of the fire began, the community rallied around those affected. The Homeless Project Scotland, while forced to close its soup kitchen, pledged to provide updates and alternative arrangements for those in need. The mood in Merchant City was one of cautious relief mixed with anxiety over the extent of the damage to some of Glasgow’s most treasured buildings.
In the aftermath, Glasgow’s resilience shone through. The rapid response of emergency crews, the professionalism of hotel staff, and the cooperation of residents and businesses all played their part in averting tragedy. As one era’s architecture faced the flames, another chapter in the city’s ongoing story of endurance and community spirit was written, leaving many grateful that, in the face of danger, no lives were lost.
