Fire crews are still tackling a large blaze at the Clydebank Play Drome EIGHT hours after it started.

Nine fire engines were called to the scene at around 2.20am. And at 10.20am firefighters were still dousing the flames. 

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it was altered to reports of a large fire at the former leisure centre on Chalmers Street this morning.

An SFRS spokesman said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 2.22am on Wednesday, May 23 to reports of a large fire which had taken hold within a former leisure centre on Chalmers Street, Clydebank. 

“Operations Control mobilised a total of nine fire engines to the incident, where firefighters extinguished the fire.

“Crews currently remain on the scene to dampen down any remaining hotspots.”

There have been no reports of injuries.

One witness told the Post: "Looking at it the fire looks to have started up on the second level (old gym) there were reports of a loud bang around 2am."

Police Scotland officers have cordoned off the area. 

Locals are also reporting that First Bus Glasgow services from and through the town centre are being disrupted.

The Post previously reported that plans to demolish the former Play Drome in the town’s Abbotsford Road have been rubber stamped.

Members of the West Dunbartonshire infrastructure, regeneration and economic development committee (IRED) gave their blessing to the proposal at a meeting in August 2017.

Back in December 2016, the IRED committee agreed to conclude negotiations with Henry Boot Developments Limited for the sale of the Play Drome site for £3,918,300.

Clydebank Post:

The Play Drome closed in March 2017

It’s understood the developers want to build a variety of retail outlets but they need to demolish the building in order to complete essential site investigation works.

It’s understood that the total cost of demolition is around £500,000, which the local authority has agreed to underwrite.

The Play Drome closed in March 2017. The property currently is held by the West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust who are exempt from paying rates on operational properties.