Major fire leaves historic Dumbuck House Hotel in Dumbarton devastated

A huge fire has engulfed the historic Dumbuck House Hotel in Dumbarton.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene on Glasgow Road at around 1.20am on June 27. The road is still currently closed to traffic as firefighters continue to battle the blaze.

The blaze appears to have destroyed the derelict building however, thankfully there have been no reported casualties.

Devilla Property Services bought the iconic venue three years ago, which operated as a restaurant, bar and hotel before it shut down during the pandemic.

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A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 1.22am on Thursday, 27 June to reports of a fire within a derelict building in Dumbarton.

"Operations Control mobilised seven fire appliances to the town's Glasgow Road, where firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.

"Three appliances currently remain on scene with crews working to make the area safe.

"There are no casualties."

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) last year removed the category B listing on the building, following an application from its owners - who lodged plans to partially demolish the building.

The decision to de-list was taken despite more than 90 objections being submitted by residents. HES stated that the applicant says there “is no possibility” of future reuse due to the current economic climate and that the fabric of the property is “now in a poor state” and will worsen through time.

The Daily Record reports that last year members of West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning committee tasked local authority chiefs to write to Christina McKelvie, Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, and the Chief Executive of Historic Environment Scotland expressing disappointment at the de-listing decision.

They backed a report that slammed HES for the move, saying “This local significance and local opinions appear not to have been given much weight by Historic Environment Scotland in its assessment.”

The building was built as Dumbuck House, in the early 19th century (between 1814 and 1829) as a mansion for the Geils family.

Dumbarton councillor David McBride said he was “appalled” by the change to the listed status of the building.

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A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Officers are assisting Scottish Fire and Rescue Service following a fire at a derelict building on Glasgow Road, Dumbarton.

"The fire was reported around 1.40am this morning, Thursday, 27 June, 2024.

"The A814 Glasgow Road is closed between the A82 and Oaktree Gardens. Local diversions are in place and motorists are advised to use alternative routes.

"No-one has been injured.

"Enquiries into the circumstances are at an early stage.

"Anyone with information or anyone with dashcam footage which could assist our enquiries should contact police via 101, quoting incident number 0235 of 27 June."

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