Key Points
- A vehicle caught fire in the covered car park beneath the Tesco Extra store on Maryhill Road, Glasgow.
- The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent two fire engines to the scene after receiving alerts at around 16:20.
- Shoppers and supermarket staff were evacuated from the store as smoke spread through the building.
- Fire officials confirmed that no casualties were reported.
- Heavy black smoke filled the covered car park and billowed onto Maryhill Road, causing local disruption.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) August 24, 2026 – A car park fire at a major Glasgow supermarket triggered a full evacuation of shoppers and staff on Monday afternoon, as emergency services raced to control the outbreak of flames beneath the retail floor. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service dispatched two fire appliances to the Tesco Extra premises situated on uk/local/maryhill/">Maryhill Road following reports of a vehicle ablaze in the lower parking structure at approximately 16:20.
What Happened During the Tesco Car Park Fire on Maryhill Road?
The incident unfolded in the late afternoon within the covered car park area, which sits directly under the elevated store footprint of the Tesco Extra outlet.
Eyewitness footage uploaded to social media platforms captured a black car fully engulfed in bright flames positioned in a corner bay of the lower deck. Within minutes of the fire taking hold, dense clouds of thick black smoke accumulated inside the semi-enclosed parking section, quickly spilling outward across the adjacent Maryhill Road and obscuring visibility for passing vehicular traffic.
Recognising the potential risk posed by smoke inhalation and the rapid movement of fumes through the building’s structural framework, store management initiated safety protocols to clear the store. Both customers carrying out late-afternoon shopping and supermarket employees were directed out of the main retail hall towards designated safety assembly areas outside the building.
How Did Emergency Services Respond to the Incident?
Responding to emergency calls made shortly after 16:20, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service deployed two fire engines to the site on Maryhill Road. On arrival, crews equipped with specialized breathing apparatus and hose reel jets moved into the covered structure to tackle the burning vehicle and prevent the flames from spreading to neighboring parked cars or damaging the structural integrity of the retail building above.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service provided a direct update regarding the operational status of the scene, stating that
“There are no reported casualties and crews remain at the scene.”
Firefighters prioritised extinguishing the main body of the fire while simultaneously venting the heavy accumulation of smoke out of the lower parking bays.
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What is the Background to Vehicle Fires in Covered Retail Structures?
Covered and underground car parks present unique operational challenges for emergency responders due to the confined nature of the spaces, restricted ceiling heights, and potential for rapid smoke accumulation.
In modern retail developments where retail floors sit directly above parking levels, fire safety protocols mandate early evacuation of upper retail spaces even if a fire is strictly localized to a vehicle below. This approach mitigates the risk of toxic combustion fumes migrating through stairwells, lift shafts, or ventilation systems into public areas above.
Tesco Extra stores of this layout typically feature integrated alarm and ventilation systems designed to alert management immediately upon the detection of thermal rises or smoke particles.
The immediate clearing of the Maryhill Road store highlights standard emergency management procedures executed by retail staff during structural or sub-structural fire events in urban areas.
What is the Prediction for How This Incident Will Affect Local Shoppers and Motorists?
This development is expected to have an immediate, short-term impact on local residents, regular supermarket patrons, and commuters using Maryhill Road.
- Impact on Shoppers: Customers who were evacuated may face temporary delays in retrieving their vehicles or personal items left inside the store if portions of the site remain cordoned off for safety assessments. Additionally, short-term operational disruptions or adjusted opening hours may occur while store management conducts safety inspections, evaluates potential structural heat exposure, and ensures ambient air quality within the main shop floor has returned to safe levels.
- Impact on Motorists and Commuters: Drivers using Maryhill Road—a key arterial route through northwestern Glasgow—can anticipate minor traffic congestion or localized diversions while emergency service vehicles remain parked near the store entrances to complete damping-down operations and clear lingering smoke.
- Impact on Vehicle Owners: The owner of the affected black car, alongside owners of any vehicles parked in immediate proximity, will likely experience insurance and recovery procedures, with loss adjusters assessing potential thermal or smoke damage sustained during the event.
