Police are investigating the cause of a fire that severely damaged a tenement building in Glasgow's Possilpark area, which was undergoing a £3 million renovation to provide affordable housing. The building, which had been derelict for two decades, was part of an initiative to address a housing emergency in the city.

Local politician Sweeney criticized the incident, calling it "outrageous" that a refurbished building in a "socially-deprived community" was targeted. He stated that the project, which secured nearly £3 million in government investment, was intended for local residents and not for "illegal immigrants, refugees, [or] asylum seekers." Sweeney also addressed what he described as "lies and misinformation" spread on social media, suggesting these narratives may have incited the incident.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Glasgow City Council's convener for housing and development, echoed these sentiments. He stated that if the fire was a deliberate act of arson, those responsible would have only extended the waiting time for local people desperately needing housing. The fire broke out at the building on Stonyhurst Street, a property that had stood derelict for 20 years before the renovation began.

Four fire vehicles and more than a dozen firefighters in an area of a street which has been cordoned off with police tape and signs. There is a church with a steeple at the end of the road and parked cars.

Emergency services responded to the blaze, with images from the scene showing multiple fire engines and firefighters working to contain the fire. The building, covered in scaffolding during the renovation, sustained significant damage, including the loss of its roof. Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.