THERE were no ambulances at the scene, a good sign, only firefighters.

Dozens of them, working bravely and professionally, to contain what turned out to be one of city centre’s worst ever fires.

The effort gradually intensified, a Command Unit arriving, more crews despatched from all over Scotland, police pushing crowds further and further along Sauchiehall Street in one direction and back as far as Buchanan Street in the other.

One eyewitness said: “It’s incredible to watch all the different fire services coordinating with each other.

“We have a lot to be thankful for.”

The Evening Times was first on the scene as the fire took hold, creating some of the most dramatic scenes I’ve witnessed as a reporter on the city’s streets.

It’s just a stone’s throw away from our Renfield Street office, which itself was surrounded by the thick grey smoke.

It was reminiscent of May 2014 when the Art School was ravaged by a fire – but far worse.

I recognised a member of staff from Holland & Barrett, looking pale and shaken. The fire was concentrated around the building, directly above the shop. She said everyone had been evacuated safely, shortly after 9am.

At one point flames were seen shooting ferociously through the top of the building, later they had spread to the back of the buildings, dangerously close to the Pavilion.

We watched as the smoke changed from black, to grey, to yellow and black again, engulfing the entire street, then clearing and building up again.

At one point, we were told the Herald & Times building might need to be cleared as the cordon was extended as far as our offices.

Almost eight hours later, the city centre was heavy with smoke as the next stage of the operation got underway to find out what caused the blaze.