A significant fire at the BBC's Scottish headquarters in Glasgow forced the evacuation of the entire building and took a flagship radio programme off air during a live broadcast on Monday morning.
Early Morning Evacuation and Broadcast Halt
The incident began shortly after 6:30am on Monday, December 1, 2025, when a fire alarm sounded throughout the BBC Scotland building at Pacific Quay. All staff were immediately evacuated as a precaution. The disruption had an instant impact on broadcasting, with the live BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast show being abruptly pulled from the airwaves. It was swiftly replaced by pre-recorded music.
Television news bulletins originating from Scotland were also suspended as a result of the evacuation. The fire is believed to have started in a plant room located on the building's fifth floor, which is at roof level.
Emergency Response and Presenters' Accounts
The emergency services responded rapidly to the scene. At least seven fire engines arrived at Pacific Quay within minutes of the alarm being raised. It is reported that a member of the BBC's own security staff first alerted authorities to the blaze.
Breakfast show presenters Laura Maciver and Martin Geissler provided a firsthand account of the chaotic morning upon their return to the studio. "It's been quite the morning – we had a fire in the building, and for the last two hours we have been outside waiting," Geissler explained. He confirmed it was not a drill, stating, "It wasn't just a dry run, it wasn't a false alarm – there was a proper fire. We could see flames on the roof of the building from the outside."
Maciver began the resumed broadcast by saying, "Our apologies for having to bail out," before thanking the emergency crews and local businesses. "But thank you to them, thank you to the fire fighters, to the security staff and to the hotel across the river, who gave us coffee and bacon rolls." The presenters also expressed gratitude to BBC Radio 5 Live for covering their slot while they were displaced.
BBC Statement and Service Restoration
A BBC Scotland spokesperson addressed the incident, telling BBC News: ‘We’re grateful to the emergency services for their rapid deployment on site. We’re working hard to ensure the safety of all of our colleagues and will restore our regular services on-air as soon as we can.’
Fortunately, the fire was extinguished by firefighters, who have since left the scene. Martin Geissler confirmed, "the fire is out, the firefighters have gone and we’re back with you," signalling a return to normal broadcasting operations from the Glasgow headquarters.
