BUSINESSES in Helensburgh are waiting to see how supplies of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish to the town will be affected following a major fire at Glasgow's fruit market.

More than 40 firefighters in 12 appliances were sent to the scene after initial reports of the fire at the Blochairn facility, next to the M8 motorway, were received at 3.44am on Thursday.

Fire crews are expected to remain at the site for the rest of the day.

Chris Hudspith, who runs the Nature's Harvest greengrocer in Helensburgh, said he was concerned over when supplies of fruit and veg to his shop in West Princes Street might return to normal, but there had been no immediate impact on the shop.

Mr Hudspith told the Advertiser: “We don't travel to the market on Thursday normally so first we heard was the news this morning.

“Obviously I have contacted a few of the lads by mobile to check that they and their colleagues were OK. Thankfully all well.

“Our concern here is obviously when and where normal supply will resume as coffee shops and restaurants as well as our retail customers rely on us.

“Hopefully things will be up and running again soon.

“Clearly our shop relies very heavily on Blochairn so this will rapidly effect us if they close for long. No stock = no sales = no income!”

The 32-acre Blochairn site also houses Scotland's only inland fish market.

In a message on Facebook, Helensburgh fishmongers G&S Coyle, located next door to Nature's Harvest in West Princes Street, said: "As the fishmarket is joined onto the fruit market we will maybe find it difficult to get our usual amount of fish over the next couple of days.

"We will however be trying our hardest to keep supplying our customers.

"We will keep you posted if there is going to be any disruption to stock."

City Property (Glasgow), which owns the market, said: "We would like to thank the emergency services for their quick response.

"Our priority now is to establish alternative arrangements in order that normal business can resume as soon as possible.

"Plans are now progressing to put temporary measures into place to assist our tenants as best as we possibly can."