Concerns Mount Over Lithium Battery Storage and Fire Safety Measures in Listed Properties
Aberdeen City Council is facing calls for an immediate safety review of vape retailers operating within the city’s listed buildings, prompted by a catastrophic fire that severely damaged a historic Glasgow structure. The demand comes from Kirsty Blackman, MP for Aberdeen North, in the wake of a blaze on Union Street, Glasgow, which is believed to have originated in a vape shop and led to significant disruption and destruction.
The Glasgow incident, which occurred over the weekend, saw fire engulf Forsyth House, a B-listed building from 1851 situated at the junction of Union Street and Gordon Street. The fire caused the iconic dome of Forsyth House to collapse and devastated several businesses, including a fish-and-chip shop, a salon, and a café.
The severity of the damage led one MSP to compare the scene to “the Blitz,” and necessitated the evacuation of nearby hotels and residents.
Glasgow Central Station, a major transport hub, was significantly affected, with its high-level services remaining suspended for the remainder of the week following the Sunday fire. First Minister John Swinney also visited the scene of the “horrific” fire.
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Investigations into the Glasgow fire are ongoing, but it is thought to have started in a ground-floor vape shop. Reports indicate that the vape shop had not paid business rates and was not registered to sell tobacco or vaping products. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in vaping devices, are suspected to be the cause of the blaze.
In a letter published yesterday, Ms Blackman urged Aberdeen City Council to take action “urgently”. She specifically requested an assessment of “where vape retailers are operating within or nearby listed buildings in the city centre,” alongside a review of fire-safety measures and checks on the storage of highly flammable lithium-ion batteries and other stock. Ms Blackman highlighted the importance of these safeguards, stating: “Given the concentration of listed properties in parts of Aberdeen’s city centre, it is important that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect both public safety and the architectural heritage of the city.”
This call for review in Aberdeen follows a previous fire at a vape shop on Union Street in March 2024. That incident, at the Refill Station, required seven fire appliances and was understood to have originated in the basement. While overall damage was minimal, smoke did spread to neighbouring buildings, prompting evacuations.
