ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Drone footage reveals devastating fire damage at Glasgow School of Art

cultural-heritage · 2026-05-04

A drone video captured by the Glasgow School of Art's School of Simulation and Visualisation reveals the extensive damage caused by a second fire on June 15, 2018, at the iconic Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed building. The fire, which occurred while restoration was ongoing after a 2014 blaze, has caused an estimated £100 million in damage. Experts have described the harm as potentially irreparable. The same team has also produced high-definition photographs and 3D visualizations to aid in planning restoration, though demolition and reconstruction are being considered. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

Key facts

  • The Glasgow School of Art was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in the late 19th century.
  • Two major fires occurred at the school, one in 2014 and another on June 15, 2018.
  • The damage from the fires is estimated at approximately £100 million.
  • The building was undergoing restoration when the second fire broke out.
  • A drone video was produced by the Glasgow School of Art's School of Simulation and Visualisation.
  • The team also took high-definition photographs and created 3D visualizations of the damage.
  • Demolition and reconstruction are being considered as options.
  • The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Entities

Artists

  • Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Institutions

  • Glasgow School of Art
  • Glasgow School of Art's School of Simulation and Visualisation

Locations

  • Glasgow
  • Scotland

Sources