A HEREFORDSHIRE firm as flown to Glasgow to help tackle a massive blaze in the city centre today.

EMS Environmental Management Solutions, based at the Sigeric Business Park, Holme Lacy Road, Rotherwas, Hereford, have been called in for its specialist knowledge of asbestos.

A blaze in Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, is currently threatening a Holland and Barrett shop, amongst others.

The fire was thought to have taken hold within a roof space of a commercial building on the street around 8.20am today.

Eight fire engines and 120 firefighters are at the scene.

Witnesses have described seeing smoke from the fire across the city.

A number of streets have been closed off and people evacuated. Residents are being warned to close their windows due to asbestos fears.

Thick smoke billowed across the pedestrian precinct and streets were cordoned off as fire crews battled the blaze.

Flames could been seen in the roof of the building which houses Victoria's nightclub and has several shops at street level.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said the occupants of nearby properties were evacuated and there were no reports of any injuries.

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay said: "This is an extremely challenging incident but the response and professionalism of our firefighters has been outstanding.

"This will be a protracted incident and crews will remain on the scene as they work to prevent further fire spread and damage in this prominent city-centre location."

Firefighters were also spotted gaining entry to the nearby Pavilion Theatre.

Iain Gordon, general manager of the theatre, said: "It's getting worse, the flames are leaping out of the top now.

"Everybody is out of the area, they have all been evacuated.

"Our problem at the moment will be smoke damage because it's gone right into the side of the building.

"We are very concerned about everything. The building has been there for a long time and is a major part of Glasgow.

"When you see how quickly the fire spread to other parts of the buildings in Sauchiehall Street we just hope the flames don't jump across the lane.

"It's a lane's distance but that's not very far when it's heat and flames going across."

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the incident appears to be "extremely serious".

Speaking at First Minister's Questions, she said: "This is a deeply concerning incident in the city of Glasgow."

She praised the firefighters tackling the "extremely challenging" blaze and said the Scottish Government's resilience unit will remain in contact with the fire service throughout the incident.

Additional reporting: The Herald, Scotland