Police drones have been sent to the scene of a "charred shell" of a church which was ravaged by fire in the West End of Glasgow yesterday.

An investigation by Greater Glasgow Police and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service  is underway into the cause of the blaze at St Simon's Church in Partick's Bridge Street. 

It's being supported by Police Scotland's air support unit who are taking aerial images of the damage. 

READ MORE: Worshippers pray at site of 'charred shell' of St Simon's after devastating fire

The historic building went up in flames in the early hours of yesterday morning and emergency crews raced to the scene at around 2.40am where nearby residents were evacuated from their homes. 

It is feared the building may be beyond repair, though some have argued for the the church to be rebuilt on the same spot it has stood on since 1858. 

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

 

The Archdiocese of Glasgow, the Vatican's authority in the city, said the church had been "reduced to a charred shell". 

READ MORE: Fire at St Simon's Church in Glasgow's Partick as nearby homes evacuated