Union Street shop where devastating Glasgow blaze broke out was selling vapes illegally

THE shop where the devastating Glasgow inferno started was selling vapes illegally, we can reveal.

Traders had not listed the premises at 105 Union Street on a mandatory register which is needed before they can flog nicotine products including e-cigs.

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The shop where the devastating Glasgow inferno started was selling vapes illegallyCredit: Dave Johnston – Commissioned by The Sun

Traders had not listed the premises at 105 Union Street on a mandatory registerCredit: Dave Johnston – Commissioned by The Sun

Police have been unable to trace the shop’s owner – identified as ArslanCredit: Getty

And we can also reveal how police have been unable to trace the shop’s owner – identified as Arslan – and speak to him about major investigation into the blaze.

It comes as it also emerged yesterday how the 6500 vape shops which have sprung up across Scotland are under no legal obligation to have routine fire checks carried out – despite the risk posed by lithium batteries.

Firefighters were still damping down the Forysth House building on Union Street yesterday which has been completely destroyed and a huge area of the city is still shut off.

Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney called for reform to the system to remove the duty to register from businesses.

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He said: “It is shocking if this shop has been allowed to operate illegally.

“There are serious questions about the suitability to have these types of businesses share space with our landmark buildings.”

Scottish Conservative MSP for Glasgow, Annie Wells, said: “While the cause of this fire is still being fully investigated, it is understandable that many people are extremely concerned about the location of vape shops given where this fire looks to have started.

“These shops can pose a real risk to public safety given the products which are sold within them.”

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Trading Standards officers are responsible for enforcing registration with lawbreakers facing a criminal conviction, closure and fined up to £20,000.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “All retailers in Scotland selling tobacco or vapes must sign up to the mandatory register.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further as an investigation is underway.”

The owner of the shop, who was interviewed by the Scottish Sun on Monday and would only give his name as Arlsan, said he had only took it over two weeks ago.

Police sources said they were trying to trace him to ask about the fire.

When will Glasgow Central reopen?

By Harry Williamson

MOST of Glasgow Central will be closed for the the rest of the week after the horror Union Street fire which destroyed a historic building, rail chiefs revealed last night.

But access to lower level trains will resume from tomorrow.

It comes as Network Rail released video showing the main concourse looking unscathed by the fire.

The rail hub – one of the busiest in the UK – has been closed for days after the fire amid fears the inferno damaged the station.

Fire crews are still on the scene blasting water at the scene and once they determine the blaze has been extinguished, council workers will start inspecting the area to find out how safe it is.

Network Rail will then need to carry out full structural assessments to find out how badly damaged the station was.

Although it is understood there has been no serious damage to the inside of Glasgow Central, the station concourse or the Caledonian Chambers building.

Route Director Ross Moran said: “We are grateful to Scottish Fire and Rescue teams who have been working tirelessly to contain the fire on the Union Corner site.

“I am pleased to advise passengers that we will be able to open Glasgow Central Low Level station from tomorrow morning.

“Unfortunately, further work is required to ensure the high level station is safe for trains to operate.”

Latest figures show there are 6500 vape shops in Scotland but routine fire checks are not required to be carried out on them.

Instead, responsibility for complying with safety regulations lies with shop owners or operators themselves under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) say they only visit stores when “risk-based criteria” are triggered – such as a complaint about a specific shop or a previous fire incident.

It comes amid mounting calls for tougher safety controls for vape shops “full of incendiary devices”, after a store on Glasgow’s Union Street sparked an inferno that ravaged historic buildings and plunged the city into travel and traffic chaos, with trains cancelled and roads closed.

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said trading standards are only required to monitor the type of vaping products being sold.

The spokesperson added: “The single use vape ban does require vapes to be stored away from the public sales area but there is no guidance on how vapes should be stored.”

Nationwide vape retailer VPZ, which has an outlet further down Union Street, said they have asked the fire service for more guidance in the wake of the blaze.

Operations director Jamie Strachan said: “In response, we have proactively contacted the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to request further guidance and advisory engagement for our teams so we can review our procedures and ensure they reflect current best practice.

“Across our retail estate we already operate strict internal protocols covering lithium-ion battery storage, charging and disposal, alongside comprehensive staff training and formal fire risk assessments.”