Firefighters tackle blaze at iconic Glasgow School of Art building #BringBackOurGirls #FutureGroupNG via @myentertain9jar

FIREFIGHTERS are tackling a major blaze at a world-famous art school in Glasgow

The blaze broke out this afternoon [CATERS]

The fire broke out in the Glasgow School of Art's Charles Rennie Mackintosh building at around 12.30pm today.
Tearful students, many of whom have lost their work in the fire, watched in horror as flames spread across the roof.
The blaze broke out as students worked to complete their end-of-year assessments.
The art school said in a statement that the building had been evacuated and that everybody was safe, but described the fire as a "major incident".
Alex Misick, 25, a GSA graduate and vice president of the Student's Association, said: "I think everyone is in shock. It's soul-destroying.
"It was literally a few hours to go before everyone finished up and handed in. That's everyone's work over three or four years. Everyone's in tears."

It was literally a few hours to go before everyone finished up and handed in. That's everyone's work over three or four years. Everyone's in tears

Alex Misick

Austin Yuill, who works as a chef at the art school, told the BBC: "I've been moved two streets away from the Mackintosh building but before we left the place was completely ablaze all down the west side of the building.
"I'm told it started in the basement and it's worked its way all the way up through the five floors.
"As far as I know it started from a spark which has gone on to foam, expanding foam."
He added: "All the students were installing their work today all over the Mackintosh building. There are a lot of very upset students here.
"Quite apart from it being voted the best building of the last 175 years, it is a major tourist draw and has an incredible reputation as an art school. This is really terrible."
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said on Twitter: "Thoughts with staff & students at @GSofA - awful to see destruction of this iconic building and students work."
Senior firefighters said the operation at the scene was ongoing.

Many students lost their work in the blaze [CATERS]

Chief Officer Alasdair Hay said: "This is likely to be a protracted incident and crews have been working extremely hard to tackle what is clearly a very significant fire.
"The priority throughout this operation has been to protect life but salvage operations are also under way."
As news of the fire spread, former students and architect experts expressed their horror on Twitter.
Fran Healy, who studied at GSoA before becoming lead singer of Travis, wrote: 'Just super super sad this place which has been with Glasgow and with all the students is burning down…'
The Royal Institute of British Architects called the building "irreplaceable", while Lily Allen described the fire as "devastating".
Antiques Roadshow expert Steven Moore wrote: 'Seeing Glasgow School of Art on fire is heartbreaking. Its like watching a dear friend in agony & you're unable to help. I feel sick.'
Architecture critic Hugh Pearman said: "This can't happen. We can't lose Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art. It's unthinkable."
The institution is one of Europe's leading art schools, while the listed Mackintosh-designed building is a tourist attraction in its own right.
Construction work started on the building in 1897 after Mackintosh won a design competition while working for Glasgow architects Honeyman & Keppie.
It took around 10 years to complete due to funding issues and several alterations were made by Mackintosh during the process.
More than a century later, it still operated as a working building serving hundreds of students.