VOTERS in today's Euro elections faced a last-minute change of polling station after a "very large fire" in Lacy Street.
They were to cast their ballot at St John Ogilvie primary school, but were re-directed instead to Williamsburgh.
The switch affected more than 2,000 electors but there was "really no alternative" said a spokesman for Renfrewshire council.
He a
dded: "The good news is that Williamsburgh is only about 100 yards away so any disruption is minimal. Traffic access is via Glasgow Road.
"Also, we have additional election staff working at Williamsburgh to deal with the increased number of voters there".
Fire crews were called to the Alpine Blinds shop at 7.40pm on Tuesday to tackle a blaze which Strathclyde fire and rescue described as "very large".
A spokeswoman told The Extra: "At one time there were 11 pumps, the fire investigation service, four officers and a communications unit at the scene".
IT worker John Campbell was returning home on Tuesday evening when he encountered the blaze from a distance.
He told The Extra: "I was leaving my golf club at about 8pm and saw the smoke all the way from Bridge of Weir
"I live in Anchor Drive, just next to Lacy Street, and it looked like there were several industrial units damaged in the fire.
"The St John Ogilvie was lucky there was no damage as it is only about 50 yards away".
The 195-pupil school was shut to assess the extent of damage, but there was none, although minor debris needs to be cleared before the school can re-open — possibly as soon as tomorrow.
As The Extra went to press no decision had been made.
A council spokesman said: "We informed parents about the closure through the media. Alternative arrangements were made to host pupils at nearby Williamsburgh primary but these weren't needed".
Yesterday, fire and rescue confirmed: "There are currently two pumps and two officers still at the site of the fire. We have no idea how long they could stay there for".
The cause of the blaze is still being investigated but, happily, no-one was hurt.
