The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has said it will "bring back" its Mackintosh building after it was left badly destroyed in a fire last month.

Around 200 firefighters were tackling the blaze on 23 May. They managed to save 90% of the structure of the A-listed building and save around 70% of its contents.

In an open letter, the GSA expressed its gratitude to everyone who had offered assistance in the aftermath of the fire, adding that its first priority is to help its students.

Signed by all members of the Board of Governors, the letter read: "To everyone who considers themselves part of the family that is The Glasgow School of Art, the fire that raged through our cherished Mackintosh building on the afternoon of Friday 23rd May broke our hearts and scoured our souls.

"Given what the building and its contents mean to us all, and that it was packed with precious, irreplaceable work by our graduating students, then that reaction is one that would be expected. What wasn't anticipated was that the city would start to arrive, not as rubber necking tourists, but as our fellow citizens as much in love with 'The Mack' as we are, who'd come in their hundreds to express their own anguish, and to do whatever they could to comfort students, staff and each other.

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"And when the flames had been brought under control and the crowd took their sorrow home, the kindness didn't stop. From offers of help and support from around the globe, to strangers in the street trying to press money into the hands of distressed GSA representatives, even to the staff in the local bakery giving out free sausage rolls, we have been overwhelmed by the variety, depth and sincerity of public reaction. Everyone, it seems, has a story about what the GSA means to them, and all wanted to find ways to express their horror at watching it suffer.

"Our friends in government, the education sector, and all the agencies we work with to preserve and improve our school, have also been absolute pillars of support and we will never forget their kindness and understanding.

"We have been struggling to find the words, beyond the daily yelled 'we love you' from everyone passing, to thank the incredible firefighters who battled courageously, tirelessly and brilliantly day and night to save what they could. Despite their palpable exhaustion, they continued to treat our students, and all with whom they came into contact, with the utmost respect and sensitivity.

"We think, and hope, they've got the message by now that when we shout 'We love you!' we really do mean it. It has most certainly provided everyone, and those most immediately affected, with the strength they need to carry on in this next stage of our history."

(JP/MH)