A 48-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fire that consumed a vacant tenement building undergoing refurbishment in Possilpark, Glasgow. The blaze, which began around 5 p.m. on Sunday, required firefighters to battle the flames for nearly two days. The building, located on Stonyhurst Street, was being renovated prior to the fire.

Fire crews deployed six engines and specialist equipment to contain the fire, which heavily damaged the fourth floor and rapidly spread through the roof area. Local residents reported seeing prominent flames early in the incident as the fire intensified.

The empty tenement had been the focus of community interest, as renovation efforts were intended to repurpose the property to provide housing for individuals on NG Homes’ waiting list. Local Labour MSP Paul Sweeney said he was among a group of elected officials who helped secure funding to refurbish the previously derelict building to address housing shortages in the city.

Following the incident, John Swinney, Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, pledged that the full force of the law would be applied if the fire was found to have been deliberate.

A police spokesperson confirmed that a man had been arrested and charged in relation to a “wilful fire.” The accused is expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court the following day. Investigations by authorities remain ongoing to determine the precise cause of the fire.