A CITY centre building was sealed off today after a fire broke out in a lift shaft.

More than 600 council workers were given the day off because of the fire.

The blaze swept through a plant room on the top floor of Glasgow City Council's development and regeneration services HQ this morning.

The building in West George Street was unoccupied at the time.

Passers-by raised the alarm after spotting smoke billowing out of the top of the six-storey office block around 6.15am.

Five fire crews and an aerial appliance battled to control the blaze.

It was swiftly brought under control but fire crews remained at the scene for several hours to ensure the building was safe.

Steve Inch, director of development and regeneration services, said: "The building was empty at the time as the first staff were due to arrive at around 7am. At this stage it looks as if the fire broke out in a plant room, which is linked to the lift shaft."

The building, which also houses land services staff, was closed for the rest of the day.

Hundreds of staff turned up for work at 9am but were sent home.

A city council spokesman said services were expected to return to normal tomorrow.