A PROBE is under way today after a massive blaze ripped through a former private school in Glasgow's West End.

A PROBE is under way today after a massive blaze ripped through a former private school in Glasgow's West End.

Around 50 firefighters tackled the fierce fire at the former Hutchesons' Grammar Primary School, which has been reduced to a charred shell.

Blackened walls are visible and the roof area is virtually destroyed.

Flames could be seen across the city skyline when the fire broke out shortly before 11pm last night.

Crews were still at the scene in Lilybank Terrace, at its junction with Great George Street, this morning, with local diversions in place.

Once the building has been made safe investigators will go in to find the source of the blaze.

The school was a feeder primary for Hutchesons' which merged with independent all-girl school Laurel Park in 2001.

The merger led to the sale of the site to a developer around two years ago, with the premises - thought to be worth around £5million - earmarked for luxury flats.

Residents raised the alarm last night and fire crews had to call for back-up when they arrived due to the severity of the inferno.

Eight fire engines were on the scene at the height of the blaze in the empty three-storey building.

Although the property is derelict, firefighters still had to go in to ensure no one was inside, but nobody was found.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue's group commander, Alex Gordon, said: "The fire spread rapidly and our main objective was to stop it spreading.

"Fortunately, we didn't have to evacuate anyone.

"There is a substantial amount of damage which has been caused but, at this stage, it is too early to say exactly how the fire started."