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An iconic building on the southside of Glasgow went up in flames last night.

Smoke billowed across the area as the blaze took hold at Blairtum House in Rutherglen.

Fire fighters were still on the scene this morning, dampening down any remaining embers.

They spent several hours fighting the fire, which was first reported at 9.30pm yesterday.

A spokesman for Scottish Fire and Rescue said that firefighters had alerted building control at South Lanarkshire Council to the situation.

Normally the involvement of building control would suggest safety concerns with the building.

The C listed building in Burnside was previously used as a home for the elderly.

A spokesman for Scottish Fire and Rescue said at 7.30am this morning: "We have one appliance in attendance at the location at the moment.

"They are there dampening down and putting out any embers.

"The fire service have been there some considerable time.

"Building Control have been informed."

Residents took to social media to express their shock at what had happened last night as firefighters fought to save the building.

On Twitter , one onlooker wrote: "Beautiful old house with turrets that was for sale... Looks wrecked."

Another said: "What a shame, that was a lovely building."

One local wrote on Facebook : "Omg beautiful building so sad."

The site, located on Broomieknowe Road, was previously occupied as a home for the elderly from the 1960s to the 1980s.

It then became a respite and day care facility before being converted into starter flats, with the YMCA undertaking the management of the supported accommodation for young people and an out of hours facility for the homeless.

However, the building was deemed to be beyond its economic life in 2006 and surveys indicated the costs of a refurbishment would be extensive.

In 2010 the council deemed it surplus to requirements and in 2013 permission was given to convert it into flats.

However, this was never taken forward and it is believed the building had recently went up for sale again.

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