A VITAL mental health charity team had a lucky escape in Sunday’s fire which completely destroyed an industrial complex in the East End.

The Time and Space group had just vacated their offices on Gateshead Street just 17 minutes before the alarm was raised.

The group is still reeling after the sudden blaze took hold just off Duke Street.

Time and Space is a unique service, offering support and information to people who hear voices and to those who self-harm and their supporters.

As reported first by the Evening Times, emergency services rushed to attend the large fire late on Sunday afternoon.

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Images and video posted on social media showed flames and smoke billowing out of an area behind the well-known Bristol Bar.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service worked through the night to extinguished the blaze which started in the commercial premises at around 3.55pm.

Although there were no casualties, Time and Space’s manager and founder Elaine Weir described how she and her staff left just in the nick of time.

Speaking to the Evening Times, Elaine said: “Usually on a Sunday, we leave at around 5pm. I don’t know why, but we left just after 3.30pm which we never usually do.

“I didn’t see or smell any smoke at that time. I had just got home when I got the text about the fire.

“I rushed back up and couldn’t believe what I was looking at. The whole building was on fire. I just stood there in shock.”

There was no time for wallowing as Elaine quickly sprung into action to call up concerned members and staff.

“We’re a mental health charity, so a lot of people rely on us. They saw what was happening on social media and were concerned as we had meetings planned for the next day.

“It was my first priority to make sure everyone was safe and start contacting staff and members. I had to get them reassured and that’s what I’ve been doing for the past two days.”

READ MORE: Watch as emergency services rush to large blaze near Bristol Bar

Time and Space started off seven years ago with no money at all, so everything the group had was in the office.

“Everything we had built up was in that office,” Elaine explained. “Wee things like the toaster and appliances. We’ve not even got a teaspoon now.

“We had group and art projects as well. We’ve been to have a wee look at the site and it’s an absolute wreck. It was worse than I thought - pretty bad. I was just stunned.”

Whether Time and Space will be able to go on in the estate is unknown, something Elaine feels gutted about.

“There’s a lot of stigma around mental health, but we really felt at home there. All the other businesses were so welcoming.”

READ MORE: Firefighters work through the night to bring East End blaze under control

It’s unclear what started the blaze but, despite a tough couple of days, Elaine hasn’t been deterred by Sunday’s events.

“We built ourselves up with no money once - we can do it again,” she said. “We won’t be out of action for long. We’ve got a few places in the East End in mind that we can use temporarily. We’re hoping to be up and running as usual on Monday.

“We will build back up.”

Time and Space has started a GoFundMe page to raise £2,000 to help them get back on their feet again.

Click here to donate.