Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street blaze

Edinburgh's civic leaders today said that they were considering their response to the huge blaze which destroyed the former Bank of China building in Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow.

Edinburgh's leaders are reported to be very concerned about their West coast rivals' blatant attempt to usurp Edinburgh's position as the conflagration capital of Scotland. Sources close to the Council told FirstFoot that they are worried that the spectacular blaze in Edinburgh's Old Town in December, could be outshone by the equally massive blaze in Glasgow.

A spokesperson, Farquhar Tomkinson-Snoddy, said that senior Edinburgh Council officials were considering a spectacular and unprecendented fire which would knock Glasgow out of the running as the first fire city of Scotland.

FirstFoot understands that a number of possible targets have been identified, including Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace.

Councillors are understood to have discussed approaching the Queen to inform her of possible dates for a fire at the Palace, and to have agreed informally that any fire would only be possible when the Queen was not in residence.

A source close to the debate told FirstFoot that the preferred option was Edinburgh Castle. "Glasgow doesn't have a castle. So, by burning Edinburgh Castle to the ground, we would be setting Glasgow a target that they have absolutely no prospect of attaining".

It is understood that Glasgow’s contingency planning includes a fire at either Ibrox or Parkhead football stadiums, on the basis that Edinburgh doesn't have a football team.