I'm also saddened to learn that they clearly did not have adequate fire protection/prevention to protect their collections.

Why why WHY???!!!

My heart hurts.

BBC a much more reliable news source than the Scotsman

Firefighters battling the blaze at Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh building say they have prevented the destruction of both the structure and the majority of its contents.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews are continuing work to fully extinguish the fire and save artworks.

The fire service said more than 90% of the structure was viable and they had protected up to 70% of the contents.

Fire broke out at the A-listed building at about 12:30.

Eyewitnesses said the fire appeared to have started when a projector exploded in the basement of the building on Renfrew Street in the city centre.

Everyone who had been in the packed building was said to have escaped safely.

Final year students had been preparing for their end-of-year degree show in the building when the blaze broke out.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27553056

Firefighters battling the blaze at Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh building say they have prevented the destruction of both the structure and the majority of its contents.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said more than 90% of the structure was viable and they had protected up to 70% of the contents.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27553056

And "up to 70% saved" means 30% or more lost... one piece in three.

-- Mal

CRM was genius and he was one of the greatest architects and designers that Scotland and the world has ever produced. The school was his true lasting legacy. I am just gobsmacked and so very sad.

... On Saturday afternoon, Professor Tom Inns, director of the school of art, said he was in a much happier frame of mind than he had been the previous evening: "This morning we are much more optimistic that the building can be saved. The fire and rescue services have told us that 90% of the building remains viable and that a lot of the students' work and contents have been saved."

What could not be saved, however, was the school's "iconic and unique" library. Broadcaster Muriel Gray, the art school's chairwoman, last night said the destruction of the Mackintosh library was "an enormous blow and we are understandably devastated"...

/... http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/may/25/glasgow-school-art-fire-restore

This is a cultural tragedy on a global scale. I am just so heartsick at this loss.

I actually moaned out loud.
I am a huge Mackintosh fan, having been
taken to Glasgow as an 8 year-old.... the
designs have always spoken to me on an
almost innate level.

I have lots of jewelry and stained glass in
the style of Mackintosh or reproductions, and
people are always asking me where they came
from. Simple, sleek style. He and his wife produced
timeless, elegant designs.