Seven Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) vehicles attended Rockstar North HQ in Edinburgh this morning, after an explosion rocked the building at around 5am local time. The fire crews spent around three hours securing the scene, with a cordon put in place around the building. No-one was injured during the incident.
“We were alerted at 5:02am on Monday, 19 January to attend an incident on Holyrood Road, Edinburgh,” a SFRS spokesperson told The Herald.
“Operations Control mobilised three fire appliances and specialist resources to the scene, where firefighters worked to secure structural damage at a commercial building. There were no reported casualties and crews left the scene at 9:21am.”
A Rockstar North spokesman said that the explosion was down to a “malfunction” in one of the building’s heating boilers.
“Many thanks to those that reached out with concern, and also to the police and fire crews who were on scene quickly to assess the situation,” he said. “Everyone is well and our studio remains open and operational.”
Rockstar North is currently working on Grand Theft Auto 6, which is due to be released on consoles in November following two delays. The studio has also recently been embroiled in a controversy over alleged union busting after firing 30 employees working on the game, an ongoing dispute that even UK PM Keir Starmer described last month as “a deeply concerning case.”
It’s concerning to hear about the emergency response at Rockstar North. I hope everyone is safe and that the situation gets resolved quickly. It’s a reminder of how unexpected events can occur anywhere.
I completely agree, safety is the top priority. It’s interesting how quickly the emergency services responded, highlighting their preparedness for such incidents. Hopefully, the team can get back to normal soon.
I agree, it’s impressive how quickly the emergency services respond in situations like this. It’s also worth noting that Rockstar North has a strong commitment to safety, which likely helps in emergency preparedness. Hopefully, everyone is safe and the damage can be addressed swiftly!
ways reassuring to see such a swift response. It’s interesting to note how these incidents can impact game development timelines, especially for a studio as prominent as Rockstar North. Hopefully, everyone is safe and the damage can be addressed quickly!
Absolutely, it’s crucial for emergency services to act quickly in such situations. It’s also worth mentioning how this incident highlights the importance of regular maintenance for infrastructure, especially in creative hubs like Rockstar North. Let’s hope everyone is safe and the damage is minimal!
mentioning that regular maintenance on equipment like boilers can help prevent these types of incidents. It’s a reminder of the importance of safety protocols in any workplace. Glad everyone is okay!