Emergency services remain at the scene of a major blaze the day after it broke out on a busy shopping street in Glasgow.

More than 120 firefighters dealt with the incident on Sauchiehall Street, which started in the roof of the building that houses Victoria’s nightclub at about 8.20am on Thursday.

An asbestos warning was issued to residents and businesses as firefighters battled the blaze, which was brought under control by early afternoon.

Firefighters were dampening down the area on Friday, with several appliances involved. Police said cordons would remain in place for several days while the safety of buildings was checked.

Scotland’s chief fire officer, Alasdair Hay, said the blaze was one of the biggest the service had dealt with and praised the professionalism of the firefighters.

No one was injured in the incident.

Thick smoke billowed across the pedestrian precinct during the blaze, and there were fears it could spread to nearby buildings including the historic Pavilion theatre.

The Pavilion theatre has cancelled shows due to the fire. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA

Shows at the Pavilion and the nearby Theatre Royal have been cancelled. A statement posted on the Pavilion’s Facebook page on Thursday said: “We managed to gain access tonight to ascertain the damage within the theatre.

“As the building across the lane is still currently pouring out smoke, this is still coming into the theatre. There is still a lot of smoke within the auditorium, and the seats, plasterwork, carpets and curtains are covered in a layer of black ash. We cannot see that we will be able to reopen within the next few days.”

The fire was raised at first minister’s questions in Holyrood, where Nicola Sturgeon described it as extremely serious. She later tweeted: