A HUGE fire has engulfed a popular Italian Restaurant in Airdrie.
Fire crews received reports of the blaze at 12.50am this morning and are still in attendance at Guidis, Rochsolloch Road.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed five fire engines are at the scene and will remain until the area is safe.
There have been no reports of injuries. Emergency services have taped nearby roads off.
A local SNP MSP has paid tribute. Neil Gray said: "I’m absolutely devastated that Trattoria Guidi has been destroyed by fire overnight.
"Guidi’s is an Airdrie institution and I’ve enjoyed so many lovely meals there. I hope nobody was hurt and my heart goes out to Carlo and the family as well as all the staff.
"If there is anything I can do to help, as always I am available at Neil.gray.msp@parliament.scot."
Meanwhile, owners of the restaurant said they are devastated.
They said: "As most of you will have heard we had a severe fire at the restaurant last night.
"We are devastated and slowly trying to process what has happened. The most important thing is that no one was in at the time and so all of our staff are safe.
"We will let you all know when we have more news. Thank you all for your kind messages and support."
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Around 1.10am on Wednesday, August 11, officers were called to a fire at a restaurant in Rochsolloch Road, Airdrie.
"Officers are in attendance and we are working with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to establish the cause of the fire.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here