Council warning comes as Scotland secretary visits ’scene of devastation’
Parts of the Mackintosh Building could collapse at any time without warning, the city’s head of building control has said.
Surveys have left experts with “significant” concerns about the state of the east and west elevations – the two short sides of the art school – said Raymond Barlow.
There have been reports of people breaching the scaled-back cordon that remains around the building and its neighbours in Garnethill.
Barlow said he understood people’s desire to get back inside their homes but urged the public to stay away.
“Surveys in recent days have shown us that the west and east elevations remain of significant concern,” he said.
“This means that there is a risk that parts of the building might fall into Scott Street or Dalhousie Street. This could happen without warning.
“Our number one priority is public safety and It is therefore simply too dangerous to allow anyone to access the site.”
Drone footage of the grade A-listed building shows the extent of the damage of the fire, including the poor state of some of the external walls.
Meanwhile the Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said he was working on plans that the fire-ravaged Grade A building can be saved.
Mundell, who just a weeks ago visited to inspect architect Page/Park’s reconstruction project of the library which was hit by a fire in 2014, said: “I share [the Mac’s] conviction that the Mac will one day rise again in all its glory. It is still early stages in properly assessing the damage, but we all hope the building can be saved, and the UK government stands ready to help.”
Kier was carrying out the £35m project which was due to finish next year.
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