Fire crews battle blaze at former Border Telegraph offices in Galashiels
Last updated 16th Dec 2024
Police remain on guard outside the former Border Telegraph offices in Galashiels tonight (Sunday) while the building is made safe following a fire.
Around 20 firefighters spent several hours battling the blaze in the High Street building, which has lain empty for more than a decade.
The alarm was raised shortly after 6pm.
Crews from Selkirk and Innerleithen joined the local team at the scene, and neighbouring roads were sealed off.
While traffic is now flowing again, part of the pavement remains taped off while an inspection of the site is completed.
The local newspaper shared the building with an environmental charity before it was boarded up, after printing was moved outwith the Scottish Borders.
Five years ago, boxes of papers and photographs from years gone by were found abandoned inside by urban explorers and handed over to the care of the Old Gala Club.
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In 2009, a planning application was made to Scottish Borders Council for a change of use to the building, from office and printing works to form a leisure facility - with American pool, snooker and virtual golf; as well as two flats.
At the time, the planning statement noted: "The existing buildings are in a poor state of repair having had very little maintenance carried out in the past. Water has penetrated the building in numerous locations with the resultant rot and timber decay."
That was followed in 2010 by an application to create four self-catering holiday units on the site.
While nothing came of those plans, permission was granted in 2022 for a further change of use to allow the front part of the building - which included the former reception area - to reopen as a dentist.
It's currently being marketed for sale at offers over £250,000.
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A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "We were alerted at 6.37pm on Sunday, to reports of a fire within a derelict building on High Street, Galashiels.
"Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances to the scene, and crews extinguished the fire.
"There were no casualties, and firefighters left the scene after ensuring the area was safe."
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